City Comparison

Erie vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Erie

Pennsylvania
81
Very Affordable
$165,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$43,400
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

12.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.0%, with Erie being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Erie has equivalent purchasing power to $85,185 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Erie
75
Newport News
Groceries
97
Erie
99
Newport News
Utilities
109
Erie
104
Newport News
Transportation
113
Erie
96
Newport News
Healthcare
89
Erie
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Erie has the same purchasing power as $85,185 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $66,033 in Erie.

Living in Erie vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Erie's housing index of 55 is lower Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $261,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Erie compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Erie and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Erie 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 109 in Erie and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Erie vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 89 in Erie 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 $43,400 in Erie and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,580 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 $1,013/month to housing in Erie vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Erie, median rent of $925/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

Erie is 12.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Erie has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,185 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Erie's housing index is 55 with median homes at $165,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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