City Comparison

New Haven vs Newport News

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

Newport News

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

The Verdict

28.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 28.3%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in New Haven has equivalent purchasing power to $58,475 in Newport News.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
137
New Haven
75
Newport News
Groceries
106
New Haven
99
Newport News
Utilities
124
New Haven
104
Newport News
Transportation
102
New Haven
96
Newport News
Healthcare
114
New Haven
111
Newport News

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Haven has the same purchasing power as $58,475 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $96,196 in New Haven.

Living in New Haven vs Newport News

Housing Costs

New Haven's housing index of 137 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $261,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in New Haven compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in New Haven and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in New Haven vs $470/month in Newport News. Newport News offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 124 in New Haven and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $496 in New Haven 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 114 in New Haven 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 $42,158 in New Haven and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $35,727 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 $984/month to housing in New Haven vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/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 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 28.3% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in New Haven has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,475 in Newport News, based on the cost of living difference.
New Haven's housing index is 137 with median homes at $250,000, 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