CostIndexUSA

Newport News, VA vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableVA
Newport News
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
MA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Newport News is slightly cheaper than Worcester — 4.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Newport News, you would need $83,800 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+13.2%
Newport News
99.8
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Newport News
96.8
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+2.7%
Newport News
103.5
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.6%
Newport News
93.7
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+73.2%
Newport News
89.6
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$83,800
$3,800 more needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 1.0470. 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×

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$461,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Worcester has 13.2% 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

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$94,100
Per Capita Income
$53,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

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)

Worcester, MA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.