City Comparison

Newport News vs San Antonio

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

San Antonio

Texas
90
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$53,420
Median Income

The Verdict

2.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.2%, with San Antonio being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to $73,370 in San Antonio.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
78
San Antonio
Groceries
99
Newport News
93
San Antonio
Utilities
104
Newport News
96
San Antonio
Transportation
96
Newport News
101
San Antonio
Healthcare
111
Newport News
95
San Antonio

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $73,370 in San Antonio.

Conversely, $75,000 in San Antonio equals $76,667 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs San Antonio

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower San Antonio's 78, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $250,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,200/mo in San Antonio, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 93 in San Antonio. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $442/month in San Antonio. San Antonio offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 104 in Newport News and 96 in San Antonio. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $384 in San Antonio. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 95 in San Antonio. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $53,420 in San Antonio. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $59,356 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 $1,246/month in San Antonio. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In San Antonio, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio is 2.2% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,370 in San Antonio, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while San Antonio's is 78 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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