Brownsville vs Newport News

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $92,000 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $61,141 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $261,000. The $106,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,888 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $470/month in Newport News. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville 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 92 in Brownsville and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,100 in Brownsville and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 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 $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/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 Utilities, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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