City Comparison

Little Rock vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Little Rock

Arkansas
84
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$47,638
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

8.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.7%, with Little Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to $82,143 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Little Rock
75
Newport News
Groceries
94
Little Rock
99
Newport News
Utilities
88
Little Rock
104
Newport News
Transportation
98
Little Rock
96
Newport News
Healthcare
90
Little Rock
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $82,143 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $68,478 in Little Rock.

Living in Little Rock vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Little Rock's housing index of 62 is lower Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $261,000. The $91,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,916 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock 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 88 in Little Rock and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock 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 90 in Little Rock and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $47,638 in Little Rock and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 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 $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/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 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Little Rock is 8.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,143 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Little Rock's housing index is 62 with median homes at $170,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases