College Station vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Newport News
The Verdict
College Station is 5.4% less expensive than Newport News overall. A household earning $75,000 in College Station would need approximately $79,310 in Newport News to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in College Station has the same purchasing power as $79,310 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $70,924 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Newport News
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $261,000. The $53,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,444 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $470/month in Newport News. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in College Station and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $50,900 in College Station and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 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 $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/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 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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