City Comparison

Franklin vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

Tennessee
139
Expensive
$750,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$118,200
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

51.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 51.1%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to $49,640 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
230
Franklin
75
Newport News
Groceries
100
Franklin
99
Newport News
Utilities
97
Franklin
104
Newport News
Transportation
90
Franklin
96
Newport News
Healthcare
91
Franklin
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $49,640 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $113,315 in Franklin.

Living in Franklin vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $261,000. The $489,000 difference in home prices means roughly $31,788 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin 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 97 in Franklin and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $118,200 in Franklin and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $75,652 respectively. Franklin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,758/month to housing in Franklin vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/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 155 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 51.1% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $49,640 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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