City Comparison

Newport News vs Spokane

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Spokane

Washington
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,834
Median Income

The Verdict

6.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.1%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to $79,891 in Spokane.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
94
Spokane
Groceries
99
Newport News
99
Spokane
Utilities
104
Newport News
98
Spokane
Transportation
96
Newport News
101
Spokane
Healthcare
111
Newport News
102
Spokane

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $79,891 in Spokane.

Conversely, $75,000 in Spokane equals $70,408 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Spokane

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Spokane's 94, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $310,000. The $49,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,180 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 Spokane, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 99 in Spokane. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $470/month in Spokane. 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 98 in Spokane. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $392 in Spokane. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 102 in Spokane. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $48,834 in Spokane. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $49,831 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 $1,139/month in Spokane. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Spokane, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 6.1% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,891 in Spokane, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Spokane's is 94 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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