Fort Collins vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Newport News
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 26.1%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to $59,483 in Newport News.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has the same purchasing power as $59,483 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $94,565 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Newport News
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $261,000. The $270,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins 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 87 in Fort Collins and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins 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 97 in Fort Collins and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $74,800 in Fort Collins and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 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 $1,745/month to housing in Fort Collins vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/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 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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