Medford vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Newport News
The Verdict
Newport News is 15.2% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $65,094 in Newport News to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Medford has the same purchasing power as $65,094 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $86,413 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Newport News
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $261,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $470/month in Newport News. Newport News offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,200 in Medford and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 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 $1,708/month to housing in Medford vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/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 64 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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