Hillsboro vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
Newport News
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 39.1%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $53,906 in Newport News.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $53,906 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $104,348 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs Newport News
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $261,000. The $272,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,676 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $470/month in Newport News. Newport News offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro 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 $106,700 in Hillsboro and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $75,652 respectively. Hillsboro residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,490/month to housing in Hillsboro vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/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 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases