Newport News vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Newport News
Rockford
The Verdict
Living in Rockford costs 16.5% less than Newport News. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Newport News, you would need $64,402 in Rockford.
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 $64,402 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $87,342 in Newport News.
Living in Newport News vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Newport News's housing index of 75 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $155,000. The $106,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,888 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $470/month in Rockford. 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 Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $368 in Rockford. 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 106 in Rockford. 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 $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $67,468 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 $1,244/month in Rockford. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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