Newport News vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Newport News
Racine
The Verdict
Racine is 4.5% less expensive than Newport News overall. A household earning $75,000 in Newport News would need approximately $71,739 in Racine to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $71,739 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $78,409 in Newport News.
Living in Newport News vs Racine
Housing Costs
Newport News's housing index of 75 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $126,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 111 in Racine. 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 $69,600 in Newport News and $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $65,568 respectively. Newport News residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Newport News vs $1,346/month in Racine. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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