City Comparison

Newport News vs Salt Lake City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Salt Lake City

Utah
107
Above Average
$440,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$60,590
Median Income

The Verdict

14.0%

Living in Newport News costs 14.0% less than Salt Lake City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Newport News, you would need $87,228 in Salt Lake City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
120
Salt Lake City
Groceries
99
Newport News
99
Salt Lake City
Utilities
104
Newport News
88
Salt Lake City
Transportation
96
Newport News
102
Salt Lake City
Healthcare
111
Newport News
97
Salt Lake City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $87,228 in Salt Lake City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Salt Lake City equals $64,486 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Salt Lake City

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Salt Lake City's 120, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $440,000. The $179,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,640 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,500/mo in Salt Lake City, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 99 in Salt Lake City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $470/month in Salt Lake City. 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 88 in Salt Lake City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $352 in Salt Lake City. 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 97 in Salt Lake City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $69,600 in Newport News and $60,590 in Salt Lake City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $56,626 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 $1,414/month in Salt Lake City. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Salt Lake City, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 14.0% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,228 in Salt Lake City, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Salt Lake City's is 120 with median homes at $440,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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