City Comparison

Newport News vs Rock Hill

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Rock Hill

South Carolina
100
Average
$305,000
Median Home
$1,125/mo
Median Rent
$65,800
Median Income

The Verdict

8.0%

Newport News is 8.0% less expensive than Rock Hill overall. A household earning $75,000 in Newport News would need approximately $81,522 in Rock Hill to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
79
Rock Hill
Groceries
99
Newport News
105
Rock Hill
Utilities
104
Newport News
94
Rock Hill
Transportation
96
Newport News
103
Rock Hill
Healthcare
111
Newport News
106
Rock Hill

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $81,522 in Rock Hill.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rock Hill equals $69,000 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Rock Hill

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Rock Hill's 79, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $305,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,125/mo in Rock Hill, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 105 in Rock Hill. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $499/month in Rock Hill. Newport News offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 104 in Newport News and 94 in Rock Hill. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $376 in Rock Hill. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 106 in Rock Hill. 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 $65,800 in Rock Hill. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $65,800 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 $1,535/month in Rock Hill. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Rock Hill, median rent of $1,125/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

Newport News is 8.0% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,522 in Rock Hill, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Rock Hill's is 79 with median homes at $305,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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