Hilo vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hilo
Newport News
The Verdict
Newport News is 43.5% less expensive than Hilo overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hilo would need approximately $52,273 in Newport News to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hilo has the same purchasing power as $52,273 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $107,609 in Hilo.
Living in Hilo vs Newport News
Housing Costs
Hilo's housing index of 149 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $555,000 vs $261,000. The $294,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,116 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Hilo compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 149 in Hilo and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $708/month in Hilo vs $470/month in Newport News. Newport News offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2856/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 218 in Hilo and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $872 in Hilo 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 118 in Hilo 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 $78,700 in Hilo and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,621 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 $1,836/month to housing in Hilo vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/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 Utilities, where the gap is 114 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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