CostIndexUSA

Iowa City, IA vs Newport News, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Iowa City
91.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
VA
Newport News
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Iowa City is moderately cheaper than Newport News — 7.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Iowa City, you would need $85,600 in Newport News. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+18.8%
Iowa City
84
Newport News
99.8
🛒 Groceries+3.3%
Iowa City
93.7
Newport News
96.8
🚗 Transportation+6.0%
Iowa City
97.6
Newport News
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+6.1%
Iowa City
88.3
Newport News
93.7
Utilities+7.0%
Iowa City
83.7
Newport News
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Newport News, VA
$85,600
$5,600 more needed in Newport News

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.0699. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Iowa City, IA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

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 18.8% higher housing costs compared to Iowa City.

Income & Job Market

Iowa City, IA

Median Household Income
$71,900
Per Capita Income
$41,000
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Population
74,398
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyResearchGovernment

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).

Iowa City, IA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.