Charleston vs Newport News

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Charleston has the same purchasing power as $81,176 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $69,293 in Charleston.

Living in Charleston vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Charleston's housing index of 62 is lower Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $261,000. The $126,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Charleston compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Charleston and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Charleston 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 92 in Charleston and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Charleston 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 91 in Charleston and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $42,034 in Charleston and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,452 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 $981/month to housing in Charleston vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Charleston, median rent of $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 Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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