City Comparison

Newport News vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Shreveport

Louisiana
84
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$43,200
Median Income

The Verdict

9.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.5%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to $68,478 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
54
Shreveport
Groceries
99
Newport News
98
Shreveport
Utilities
104
Newport News
91
Shreveport
Transportation
96
Newport News
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
111
Newport News
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $68,478 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $82,143 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $170,000. The $91,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,916 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $466/month in Shreveport. 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 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $364 in Shreveport. 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 93 in Shreveport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $51,429 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 $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 9.5% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,478 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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