City Comparison

Louisville vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Louisville

Kentucky
91
Below Average
$210,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$52,238
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

1.1%

Living in Louisville costs 1.1% less than Newport News. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Louisville, you would need $75,824 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Louisville
75
Newport News
Groceries
96
Louisville
99
Newport News
Utilities
91
Louisville
104
Newport News
Transportation
100
Louisville
96
Newport News
Healthcare
93
Louisville
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Louisville has the same purchasing power as $75,824 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $74,185 in Louisville.

Living in Louisville vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Louisville's housing index of 77 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $261,000. The $51,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,312 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Louisville compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Louisville and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Louisville 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 91 in Louisville and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Louisville 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 93 in Louisville and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,238 in Louisville and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,404 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 $1,219/month to housing in Louisville vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Louisville, median rent of $1,100/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 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Louisville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,824 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Louisville's housing index is 77 with median homes at $210,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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