Boston vs Newport News: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts compare to Newport News, Virginia? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Newport News is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 193% higher in Boston compared to Newport News, while rent is 64% higher. State income tax is 9% in MA vs 5.75% in VA.
| Metric | Boston, MA | Newport News, VA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $684,900 | $233,400 | +193.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,981 | $1,209 | +63.9% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $89,212 | $63,355 | +40.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $55,949 | $36,135 | +54.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 9.0% | 5.8% | +56.5% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.3% | 5.8% | +8.7% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 665,945 | 185,118 | +259.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Boston
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Newport News
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Boston costs $684,900 compared to $233,400 in Newport News — a 193% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,981/mo in Boston vs $1,209/mo in Newport News.
- Income: Median household income is $89,212 in Boston and $63,355 in Newport News.
- Taxes: State income tax is 9% in Massachusetts vs 5.75% in Virginia.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).