City Comparison

Madison vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Madison

Wisconsin
106
Above Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$67,565
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

15.2%

Living in Newport News costs 15.2% less than Madison. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Madison, you would need $65,094 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Madison
75
Newport News
Groceries
101
Madison
99
Newport News
Utilities
97
Madison
104
Newport News
Transportation
103
Madison
96
Newport News
Healthcare
105
Madison
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $65,094 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $86,413 in Madison.

Living in Madison vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $261,000. The $79,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,136 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison 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 97 in Madison and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Madison and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $67,565 in Madison and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 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 $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/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 Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,094 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Madison's housing index is 115 with median homes at $340,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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