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City Housing Verdict

Newport News, VA

Stretch

The cost of living in Newport News, VA is 1% below the national average (Cost Index: 99). Homes here are typically valued around $287,123, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $66,718 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Newport News sits in the stretch zone: not impossible, but household feasibility will depend heavily on rent, down payment, debt load, and whether you are renting or buying. Start with the verdict panel, then compare scenarios before treating this city as affordable.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Newport News.

Monthly Housing
$1,596/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
29%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$3,464/mo
After housing and debt · $1,155/person
Rent vs Buy
Renting is the lower-pressure baseline
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: HighHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ZILLOWBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 38%
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Cost Index
99
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$287,123
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $243,300
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,596/mo
Zillow ZORI Market Rate • Census ACS: $1,285/mo
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$66,718
National: $78,538
Population
184,774
Purchasing Power
86
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
95 / 100
Close to average
Rent Index
118 / 100
18% above average
Goods & Groceries
97 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
90 / 100
Typical utility costs
Healthcare & Services
99 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
99
Average

Newport News Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $287,123 and Virginia's property tax rate of 0.82%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$66,718
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
29%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
4.3x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Newport News looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Newport News, VA

Est. Annual Property Tax
$2,354
Monthly Impact
$196
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.82%
National avg: ~1.00%

Virginia Place Tax Context

Tax TypeVirginiaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.82%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate5.75%~5.0%
State Sales Tax5.75%~5.0%

Compare Newport News to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Newport News, VA
99
118
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Newport News, VA: 95
Rent Prices
118

FAQ: Living in Newport News

What is the cost of living like in Newport News, VA?+

Living costs in Newport News land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 99 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $287,123, and typical monthly rents run around $1,596. Groceries and utilities are in line with what you would find in most US cities.

How does Newport News fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,596, while local median household income is $66,718. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 29% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Newport News, VA?+

Virginia has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 5.75%. The effective property tax rate is 0.82%. On a home worth $287,123, that translates to roughly $2,354 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 5.75% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Newport News, VA?+

The typical monthly rent in Newport News is around $1,596. That's about 18% higher than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $287,123, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Newport News, VA?+

The median home in Newport News is valued at $287,123. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,452/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 48% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Newport News?+

Grocery prices in Newport News are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 97, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are about typical (index: 90). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Newport News, VA like to live in?+

Newport News is a mid-sized city with a population of about 184,774. The median age of residents is 34.2, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 15.14%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Virginia

If Newport News feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Virginia

Use these city pages when you want to compare Newport News against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly