City Comparison

Manchester vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Manchester

New Hampshire
118
Above Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,018
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

28.3%

Living in Newport News costs 28.3% less than Manchester. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Manchester, you would need $58,475 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Manchester
75
Newport News
Groceries
105
Manchester
99
Newport News
Utilities
114
Manchester
104
Newport News
Transportation
100
Manchester
96
Newport News
Healthcare
112
Manchester
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Manchester has the same purchasing power as $58,475 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $96,196 in Manchester.

Living in Manchester vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Manchester's housing index of 140 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $261,000. The $89,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,784 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Manchester compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Manchester and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Manchester vs $470/month in Newport News. Newport News offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 114 in Manchester and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $456 in Manchester vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 112 in Manchester 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 $65,018 in Manchester and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,100 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 $1,517/month to housing in Manchester vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 28.3% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,475 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Manchester's housing index is 140 with median homes at $350,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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