City Comparison

Newport News vs Plano

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Plano

Texas
109
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$96,348
Median Income

The Verdict

15.6%

Living in Newport News costs 15.6% less than Plano. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Newport News, you would need $88,859 in Plano.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
123
Plano
Groceries
99
Newport News
98
Plano
Utilities
104
Newport News
99
Plano
Transportation
96
Newport News
106
Plano
Healthcare
111
Newport News
100
Plano

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $88,859 in Plano.

Conversely, $75,000 in Plano equals $63,303 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Plano

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Plano's 123, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $400,000. The $139,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,036 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,700/mo in Plano, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 98 in Plano. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $466/month in Plano. 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 99 in Plano. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $396 in Plano. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 100 in Plano. 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 $69,600 in Newport News and $96,348 in Plano. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $88,393 respectively. Plano residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Newport News vs $2,248/month in Plano. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 15.6% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,859 in Plano, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Plano's is 123 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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