City Comparison

Newport News vs Sugar Land

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Sugar Land

Texas
110
Above Average
$456,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$128,400
Median Income

The Verdict

16.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 16.4%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to $89,674 in Sugar Land.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
128
Sugar Land
Groceries
99
Newport News
99
Sugar Land
Utilities
104
Newport News
96
Sugar Land
Transportation
96
Newport News
101
Sugar Land
Healthcare
111
Newport News
96
Sugar Land

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $89,674 in Sugar Land.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sugar Land equals $62,727 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Sugar Land

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Sugar Land's 128, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $456,000. The $195,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,672 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,625/mo in Sugar Land, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 96 in Sugar Land. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $128,400 in Sugar Land. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $116,727 respectively. Sugar Land 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 $2,996/month in Sugar Land. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 16.4% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,674 in Sugar Land, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Sugar Land's is 128 with median homes at $456,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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