City Comparison

Cary vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cary

North Carolina
106
Above Average
$500,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$117,400
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

15.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.2%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to $65,094 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
152
Cary
75
Newport News
Groceries
101
Cary
99
Newport News
Utilities
97
Cary
104
Newport News
Transportation
89
Cary
96
Newport News
Healthcare
113
Cary
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cary has the same purchasing power as $65,094 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $86,413 in Cary.

Living in Cary vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $261,000. The $239,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,540 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary 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 97 in Cary and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $117,400 in Cary and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $75,652 respectively. Cary residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,739/month to housing in Cary vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/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 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,094 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Cary's housing index is 152 with median homes at $500,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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