City Comparison

Manhattan vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Manhattan

New York
235
Very Expensive
$1.1M
Median Home
$4,200/mo
Median Rent
$93,651
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

155.4%

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

Housing
421
Manhattan
75
Newport News
Groceries
115
Manhattan
99
Newport News
Utilities
142
Manhattan
104
Newport News
Transportation
94
Manhattan
96
Newport News
Healthcare
112
Manhattan
111
Newport News

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

Newport News is 155.4% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 235.
A $75,000 salary in Manhattan has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $29,362 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Manhattan's housing index is 421 with median homes at $1.1M, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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