Newport News, VA vs Reston, VA

The cost of living difference between Newport News, VA and Reston, VA is dramatic. Newport News is 39.8% cheaper than Reston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Newport News has a cost index of 93 while Reston sits at 155, 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 Newport News is $1,285/month compared to $2,170/month in Reston — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Newport News is more affordable at $243,300 median vs $616,000.

Median household income in Newport News is $66,718 compared to $139,515 in Reston (-52.2%). While Reston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Newport News spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Reston.