Newport News vs Winston-Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Newport News
Winston-Salem
The Verdict
Living in Winston-Salem costs 9.5% less than Newport News. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Newport News, you would need $68,478 in Winston-Salem.
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 $68,478 in Winston-Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $82,143 in Newport News.
Living in Newport News vs Winston-Salem
Housing Costs
Newport News's housing index of 75 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $261,000 vs $250,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Newport News compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Newport News and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Newport News vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. 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 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Newport News vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 111 in Newport News and 103 in Winston-Salem. 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 $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,652 and $62,619 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 $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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