El Paso vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
El Paso
Newport News
The Verdict
El Paso is 7.6% less expensive than Newport News overall. A household earning $75,000 in El Paso 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
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in El Paso has the same purchasing power as $81,176 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $69,293 in El Paso.
Living in El Paso vs Newport News
Housing Costs
El Paso's housing index of 69 is lower Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $261,000. The $76,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,944 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in El Paso compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in El Paso and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in El Paso 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 93 in El Paso and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in El Paso 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 89 in El Paso and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $47,568 in El Paso and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,962 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 $1,110/month to housing in El Paso vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In El Paso, median rent of $1,000/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 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases