Arlington, VA vs Newport News, VA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, VA and Newport News, VA is dramatic. Newport News is 91.4% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 178 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 Arlington is $2,275/month compared to $1,285/month in Newport News — a 77% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Newport News is more affordable at $243,300 median vs $864,800.

Median household income in Arlington is $140,160 compared to $66,718 in Newport News (+110.1%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in Newport News.