CostIndexUSA

Newport News, VA vs Salem, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableVA
Newport News
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
OR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Newport News is moderately cheaper than Salem — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Newport News, you would need $84,700 in Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+10.5%
Newport News
99.8
Salem
110.3
🛒 Groceries+8.8%
Newport News
96.8
Salem
105.3
🚗 Transportation+1.7%
Newport News
103.5
Salem
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.7%
Newport News
93.7
Salem
95.3
Utilities+16.9%
Newport News
89.6
Salem
104.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Salem, OR
$84,700
$4,700 more needed in Salem

Formula: salary × (103.6 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 1.0582. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Newport News, VA

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

Salem, OR

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
110.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

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

Income & Job Market

Newport News, VA

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

Salem, OR

Median Household Income
$74,600
Per Capita Income
$42,500
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
174,365
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

73% of income left after rent (median)

Salem, OR
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.