City Comparison

Newport News vs Sacramento

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Sacramento

California
128
Expensive
$450,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$64,660
Median Income

The Verdict

28.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 28.1%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to $104,348 in Sacramento.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
163
Sacramento
Groceries
99
Newport News
104
Sacramento
Utilities
104
Newport News
108
Sacramento
Transportation
96
Newport News
111
Sacramento
Healthcare
111
Newport News
106
Sacramento

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $104,348 in Sacramento.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sacramento equals $53,906 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Sacramento

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Sacramento's 163, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $450,000. The $189,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,288 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 Sacramento, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 104 in Sacramento. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $494/month in Sacramento. 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 108 in Sacramento. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $432 in Sacramento. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 106 in Sacramento. 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 $64,660 in Sacramento. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $50,516 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 $1,509/month in Sacramento. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Sacramento, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 88 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 28.1% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $104,348 in Sacramento, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Sacramento's is 163 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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