salaryRent is lower than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.5 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,520 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Virginia. It is number 53 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Newport News with other big cities
Compare Newport News to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Newport News?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Newport News
| Size | Newport News | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,149 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,188 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,356 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,682 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,988 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Newport News overall?
Everyday prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Newport News
Life in Newport News
What jobs pay in Newport News
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,280 | 13.5% |
| Lawyer | $133,380 | 13.8% |
| Software Developer | $129,090 | 14.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,430 | 14.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,530 | 14.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,760 | 17.8% |
| Operations Manager | $100,340 | 18.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,890 | 18.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | 19.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $89,450 | 20.6% |
| Accountant | $79,450 | 23.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,560 | 26.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,370 | 28.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,380 | 29.1% |
| Electrician | $62,350 | 29.6% |
| Plumber | $61,870 | 29.8% |
| Police Officer | $59,690 | 30.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,470 | 31.0% |
| Firefighter | $56,940 | 32.4% |
| Carpenter | $51,500 | 35.8% |
| Truck Driver | $50,460 | 36.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,620 | 42.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,160 | 47.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $39,020 | 47.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,990 | 47.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,150 | 48.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,280 | 50.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,820 | 59.9% |
| Cashier | $29,320 | 62.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Newport News?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $270 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $260,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,060 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Newport News, VA?
Renting in Newport News costs a median of about $1,538 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Newport News?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,520 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Newport News cheap or expensive?
Newport News is rated OK: rent takes 24.6% of the typical household income of $75,100. It ranks 53rd cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Newport News?
The median homeowner in Newport News pays $2,634 a year in property taxes, about 1.01% of the median home value.
Is Newport News more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Newport News?
The median home value in Newport News is $260,600, about 3.5 times the typical yearly household income.
184,216 people live in Newport News. Numbers are typical (middle) values.