City Comparison

Newport News vs Tempe

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Tempe

Arizona
106
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$56,068
Median Income

The Verdict

13.2%

Living in Newport News costs 13.2% less than Tempe. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Newport News, you would need $86,413 in Tempe.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
114
Tempe
Groceries
99
Newport News
100
Tempe
Utilities
104
Newport News
96
Tempe
Transportation
96
Newport News
103
Tempe
Healthcare
111
Newport News
95
Tempe

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $86,413 in Tempe.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $65,094 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Tempe

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $400,000. The $139,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,036 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 13.2% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,413 in Tempe, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Tempe's is 114 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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