Joliet vs Newport News

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Joliet has the same purchasing power as $72,632 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $77,446 in Joliet.

Living in Joliet vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Joliet's housing index of 85 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $261,000. The $14,000 difference in home prices means roughly $912 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet 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 94 in Joliet and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $88,000 in Joliet and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $75,652 respectively. Joliet residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,053/month to housing in Joliet vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/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 Transportation, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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