City Comparison

Johnson City vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

7.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.6%, with Johnson City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to $81,176 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
66
Johnson City
75
Newport News
Groceries
95
Johnson City
99
Newport News
Utilities
95
Johnson City
104
Newport News
Transportation
88
Johnson City
96
Newport News
Healthcare
94
Johnson City
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $81,176 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $69,293 in Johnson City.

Living in Johnson City vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Johnson City's housing index of 66 is lower Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $261,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City 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 95 in Johnson City and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,400 in Johnson City and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 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 $1,293/month to housing in Johnson City vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 7.6% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,176 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Johnson City's housing index is 66 with median homes at $276,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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