Lincoln vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Newport News
The Verdict
Newport News is 1.1% less expensive than Lincoln overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lincoln would need approximately $74,194 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 Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $74,194 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $75,815 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Newport News
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $261,000. The $3,000 difference in home prices means roughly $192 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln 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 93 in Lincoln and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln 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 102 in Lincoln 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 $71,900 in Lincoln and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $75,652 respectively. Lincoln residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Lincoln, 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 Utilities, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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