Newport News vs Virginia Beach

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $85,598 in Virginia Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $65,714 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Virginia Beach

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Virginia Beach's 112, 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 $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $392 in Virginia Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 99 in Virginia Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $69,922 respectively. Newport News residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Newport News vs $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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