City Comparison

Newport News vs Orem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Orem

Utah
117
Above Average
$528,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$86,000
Median Income

The Verdict

21.4%

Living in Newport News costs 21.4% less than Orem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Newport News, you would need $95,380 in Orem.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
147
Orem
Groceries
99
Newport News
98
Orem
Utilities
104
Newport News
92
Orem
Transportation
96
Newport News
108
Orem
Healthcare
111
Newport News
95
Orem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $95,380 in Orem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Orem equals $58,974 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Orem

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Orem's 147, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $528,000. The $267,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,352 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,400/mo in Orem, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 98 in Orem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $466/month in Orem. 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 104 in Newport News and 92 in Orem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $368 in Orem. 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 111 in Newport News and 95 in Orem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $69,600 in Newport News and $86,000 in Orem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $73,504 respectively. Newport News residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Newport News vs $2,007/month in Orem. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 21.4% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $95,380 in Orem, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Orem's is 147 with median homes at $528,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases