City Comparison

Newport News vs Sandy

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Sandy

Utah
128
Expensive
$630,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$111,200
Median Income

The Verdict

28.1%

Living in Newport News costs 28.1% less than Sandy. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Newport News, you would need $104,348 in Sandy.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
189
Sandy
Groceries
99
Newport News
100
Sandy
Utilities
104
Newport News
88
Sandy
Transportation
96
Newport News
106
Sandy
Healthcare
111
Newport News
95
Sandy

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Newport News vs Sandy

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Sandy's 189, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $630,000. The $369,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,725/mo in Sandy, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 100 in Sandy. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $475/month in Sandy. 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 Sandy. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $352 in Sandy. 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 95 in Sandy. 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 $111,200 in Sandy. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $86,875 respectively. Sandy residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Newport News vs $2,595/month in Sandy. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Sandy, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 114 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 Sandy, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Sandy's is 189 with median homes at $630,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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