Newport News vs Surprise: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Newport News, Virginia compare to Surprise, Arizona? 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 34% lower in Newport News compared to Surprise, while rent is 34% lower. State income tax is 5.75% in VA vs 2.5% in AZ.
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Surprise, AZ | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $233,400 | $352,600 | -33.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,209 | $1,822 | -33.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $63,355 | $87,756 | -27.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $36,135 | $37,518 | -3.7% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.8% | 2.5% | +130.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 5.8% | 8.4% | -31.3% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 185,118 | 145,591 | +27.1% |
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 — 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.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Surprise
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 Newport News costs $233,400 compared to $352,600 in Surprise — a 34% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,209/mo in Newport News vs $1,822/mo in Surprise.
- Income: Median household income is $63,355 in Newport News and $87,756 in Surprise.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5.75% in Virginia vs 2.5% in Arizona.
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).