Alexandria, VA vs Newport News, VA

The cost of living difference between Alexandria, VA and Newport News, VA is dramatic. Newport News is 68.7% cheaper than Alexandria, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alexandria has a cost index of 157 while Newport News sits at 93, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Alexandria is $2,031/month compared to $1,285/month in Newport News — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Newport News is more affordable at $243,300 median vs $696,800.

Median household income in Alexandria is $113,638 compared to $66,718 in Newport News (+70.3%). While Alexandria is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alexandria spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in Newport News.