Manhattan vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Manhattan
Newport News
The Verdict
Living in Newport News costs 155.4% less than Manhattan. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Manhattan, you would need $29,362 in Newport News.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Manhattan has the same purchasing power as $29,362 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $191,576 in Manhattan.
Living in Manhattan vs Newport News
Housing Costs
Manhattan's housing index of 421 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $1.1M vs $261,000. The $889,000 difference in home prices means roughly $57,780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $4,200/mo in Manhattan compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $3,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 115 in Manhattan and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $546/month in Manhattan vs $470/month in Newport News. Newport News offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 142 in Manhattan and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $568 in Manhattan 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 112 in Manhattan 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 $93,651 in Manhattan and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $39,851 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 $2,185/month to housing in Manhattan vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Manhattan, median rent of $4,200/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 346 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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