Dover vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dover
Newport News
The Verdict
Newport News is 7.6% less expensive than Dover overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dover would need approximately $69,697 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 Dover has the same purchasing power as $69,697 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $80,707 in Dover.
Living in Dover vs Newport News
Housing Costs
Dover's housing index of 88 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $261,000. The $19,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Dover compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Dover and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Dover 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 96 in Dover and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Dover vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Dover and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,300 in Dover and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,889 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 $1,360/month to housing in Dover vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Dover, median rent of $1,275/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 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases