City Comparison

Duluth vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Duluth

Minnesota
85
Very Affordable
$268,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$68,800
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

7.6%

Duluth is 7.6% less expensive than Newport News overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $81,176 in Newport News to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
88
Duluth
75
Newport News
Groceries
99
Duluth
99
Newport News
Utilities
94
Duluth
104
Newport News
Transportation
100
Duluth
96
Newport News
Healthcare
123
Duluth
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Duluth vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $261,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth 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 94 in Duluth and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $68,800 in Duluth and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $75,652 respectively. Duluth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/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

Duluth is 7.6% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,176 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Duluth's housing index is 88 with median homes at $268,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases