City Comparison

Newport News vs Washington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newport News

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

Washington

District of Columbia
152
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,300/mo
Median Rent
$90,842
Median Income

The Verdict

39.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 39.5%, with Newport News being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to $123,913 in Washington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Newport News
226
Washington
Groceries
99
Newport News
108
Washington
Utilities
104
Newport News
118
Washington
Transportation
96
Newport News
109
Washington
Healthcare
111
Newport News
105
Washington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newport News has the same purchasing power as $123,913 in Washington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Washington equals $45,395 in Newport News.

Living in Newport News vs Washington

Housing Costs

Newport News's housing index of 75 is lower Washington's 226, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $580,000. The $319,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,736 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $2,300/mo in Washington, a monthly difference of $1,125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 108 in Washington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $513/month in Washington. Newport News offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 104 in Newport News and 118 in Washington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $472 in Washington. 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 105 in Washington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $69,600 in Newport News and $90,842 in Washington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $59,764 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 $2,120/month in Washington. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Washington, median rent of $2,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 151 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Newport News is 39.5% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in Newport News has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $123,913 in Washington, based on the cost of living difference.
Newport News's housing index is 75 with median homes at $261,000, while Washington's is 226 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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