City Comparison

Billings vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

Montana
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,438
Median Income

Newport News

Virginia
92
Below Average
$261,000
Median Home
$1,175/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

The Verdict

6.5%

Living in Newport News costs 6.5% less than Billings. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Billings, you would need $70,408 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
93
Billings
75
Newport News
Groceries
99
Billings
99
Newport News
Utilities
89
Billings
104
Newport News
Transportation
101
Billings
96
Newport News
Healthcare
102
Billings
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $70,408 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $79,891 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $261,000. The $49,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $470/month in Newport News. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $416 in Newport News. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,438 in Billings and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $75,652 respectively. Newport News residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,294/month to housing in Billings vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 6.5% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,408 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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