City Comparison

Newport News vs St. Louis

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

St. Louis

Missouri
90
Below Average
$175,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$45,782
Median Income

The Verdict

2.2%

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

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
72
St. Louis
Groceries
99
Newport News
97
St. Louis
Utilities
104
Newport News
95
St. Louis
Transportation
96
Newport News
103
St. Louis
Healthcare
111
Newport News
95
St. Louis

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Louis equals $76,667 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs St. Louis

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is higher St. Louis's 72, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $175,000. The $86,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,592 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,000/mo in St. Louis, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 97 in St. Louis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $461/month in St. Louis. 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 95 in St. Louis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $380 in St. Louis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 95 in St. Louis. 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 $45,782 in St. Louis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $50,869 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 $1,068/month in St. Louis. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In St. Louis, median rent of $1,000/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

St. Louis 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 St. Louis, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while St. Louis's is 72 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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