City Comparison

Montgomery vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

14.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.1%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to $87,342 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
49
Montgomery
75
Newport News
Groceries
99
Montgomery
99
Newport News
Utilities
115
Montgomery
104
Newport News
Transportation
92
Montgomery
96
Newport News
Healthcare
78
Montgomery
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $87,342 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $64,402 in Montgomery.

Living in Montgomery vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $261,000. The $99,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,432 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery 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 115 in Montgomery and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery 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 78 in Montgomery and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 33-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,800 in Montgomery and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 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 $1,325/month to housing in Montgomery vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 14.1% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,342 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Montgomery's housing index is 49 with median homes at $162,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases