City Comparison

Laredo vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Laredo

Texas
82
Very Affordable
$190,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$63,900
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

10.9%

Living in Laredo costs 10.9% less than Newport News. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Laredo, you would need $84,146 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Laredo
75
Newport News
Groceries
91
Laredo
99
Newport News
Utilities
107
Laredo
104
Newport News
Transportation
90
Laredo
96
Newport News
Healthcare
77
Laredo
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Laredo has the same purchasing power as $84,146 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $66,848 in Laredo.

Living in Laredo vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Laredo's housing index of 81 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $190,000 vs $261,000. The $71,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Laredo compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 91 in Laredo and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Laredo vs $470/month in Newport News. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Laredo and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Laredo vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 77 in Laredo and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $63,900 in Laredo and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,927 and $75,652 respectively. Laredo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,491/month to housing in Laredo vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/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 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laredo is 10.9% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Laredo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,146 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Laredo's housing index is 81 with median homes at $190,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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