CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Newport News, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Newport News
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Newport News is slightly cheaper than Bakersfield — 3.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $77,600 in Newport News. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+10.5%
Bakersfield
90.3
Newport News
99.8
🛒 Groceries8.0%
Bakersfield
105.2
Newport News
96.8
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Bakersfield
105.3
Newport News
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Bakersfield
95.3
Newport News
93.7
Utilities43.4%
Bakersfield
158.3
Newport News
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bakersfield to see what you'd need to earn in Newport News to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Newport News, VA
$77,600
$2,400 less needed in Newport News

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9703. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bakersfield, CA

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
90.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Newport News, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Newport News has 10.5% higher housing costs compared to Bakersfield.

Income & Job Market

Bakersfield, CA

Median Household Income
$68,900
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
8.4%
Population
384,145
Top Industries
AgricultureEnergyHealthcareLogisticsManufacturing

Newport News, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
186,247
Top Industries
MilitaryManufacturingHealthcareGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bakersfield, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Newport News, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.