City Comparison

Newport News vs Rochester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Rochester

Minnesota
94
Below Average
$345,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$91,500
Median Income

The Verdict

2.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.1%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to $76,630 in Rochester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
95
Rochester
Groceries
99
Newport News
103
Rochester
Utilities
104
Newport News
102
Rochester
Transportation
96
Newport News
102
Rochester
Healthcare
111
Newport News
104
Rochester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $76,630 in Rochester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $73,404 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Rochester

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $345,000. The $84,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,460 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $489/month in Rochester. 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 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $408 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 104 in Rochester. 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 $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $97,340 respectively. Rochester 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 $2,135/month in Rochester. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 2.1% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 94.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,630 in Rochester, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Rochester's is 95 with median homes at $345,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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