City Comparison

Newport News vs Scottsdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Scottsdale

Arizona
123
Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,000/mo
Median Rent
$92,298
Median Income

The Verdict

25.2%

Living in Newport News costs 25.2% less than Scottsdale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Newport News, you would need $100,272 in Scottsdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
162
Scottsdale
Groceries
99
Newport News
103
Scottsdale
Utilities
104
Newport News
96
Scottsdale
Transportation
96
Newport News
103
Scottsdale
Healthcare
111
Newport News
95
Scottsdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $100,272 in Scottsdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scottsdale equals $56,098 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Scottsdale

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Scottsdale's 162, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $580,000. The $319,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,736 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $2,000/mo in Scottsdale, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 103 in Scottsdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $489/month in Scottsdale. 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 96 in Scottsdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $384 in Scottsdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 95 in Scottsdale. 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 $92,298 in Scottsdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $75,039 respectively. Newport News residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Newport News vs $2,154/month in Scottsdale. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Scottsdale, median rent of $2,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 87 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 25.2% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 123.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,272 in Scottsdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Scottsdale's is 162 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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