City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

Arkansas
90
Below Average
$332,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$59,100
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

2.2%

Living in Fayetteville costs 2.2% less than Newport News. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $76,667 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Fayetteville
75
Newport News
Groceries
92
Fayetteville
99
Newport News
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
104
Newport News
Transportation
95
Fayetteville
96
Newport News
Healthcare
78
Fayetteville
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $76,667 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $73,370 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $261,000. The $71,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $470/month in Newport News. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 78 in Fayetteville and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 33-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $59,100 in Fayetteville and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 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 $1,379/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Fayetteville, 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 Healthcare, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 2.2% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,667 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 94 with median homes at $332,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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