City Comparison

Hampton vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

Virginia
88
Below Average
$243,000
Median Home
$1,175/mo
Median Rent
$59,400
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

4.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.3%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $78,409 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
75
Newport News
Groceries
94
Hampton
99
Newport News
Utilities
102
Hampton
104
Newport News
Transportation
93
Hampton
96
Newport News
Healthcare
106
Hampton
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $78,409 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $71,739 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $261,000. The $18,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton 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 102 in Hampton and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $59,400 in Hampton and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 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 $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/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 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 4.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,409 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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