City Comparison

Nashville vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nashville

Tennessee
102
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$59,828
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

10.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.9%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Nashville has equivalent purchasing power to $67,647 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
108
Nashville
75
Newport News
Groceries
96
Nashville
99
Newport News
Utilities
92
Nashville
104
Newport News
Transportation
100
Nashville
96
Newport News
Healthcare
98
Nashville
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Nashville has the same purchasing power as $67,647 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $83,152 in Nashville.

Living in Nashville vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Nashville's housing index of 108 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $261,000. The $119,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Nashville compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Nashville and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Nashville 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 92 in Nashville and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Nashville 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 98 in Nashville and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $59,828 in Nashville and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,655 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 $1,396/month to housing in Nashville vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Nashville, 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 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 10.9% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in Nashville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,647 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
Nashville's housing index is 108 with median homes at $380,000, while Newport News's is 75 with median homes at $261,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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