City Comparison

Newport News vs Visalia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Visalia

California
106
Above Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$80,000
Median Income

The Verdict

13.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.2%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to $86,413 in Visalia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
120
Visalia
Groceries
99
Newport News
104
Visalia
Utilities
104
Newport News
115
Visalia
Transportation
96
Newport News
112
Visalia
Healthcare
111
Newport News
100
Visalia

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Newport News vs Visalia

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Visalia's 120, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $419,000. The $158,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,272 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,375/mo in Visalia, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 104 in Visalia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $494/month in Visalia. 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 115 in Visalia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $460 in Visalia. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 100 in Visalia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $80,000 in Visalia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $75,472 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 $1,867/month in Visalia. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Visalia, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 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 Visalia, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Visalia's is 120 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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