CostIndexUSA

Monroe, LA vs Newport News, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
VA
Newport News
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Monroe is significantly cheaper than Newport News — 17.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Monroe, you would need $93,700 in Newport News. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+133.2%
Monroe
42.8
Newport News
99.8
🛒 Groceries+3.3%
Monroe
93.7
Newport News
96.8
🚗 Transportation+3.0%
Monroe
100.5
Newport News
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+3.1%
Monroe
90.9
Newport News
93.7
Utilities+24.1%
Monroe
72.2
Newport News
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Newport News, VA
$93,700
$13,700 more needed in Newport News

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 83.6) = salary × 1.1711. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Newport News, VA

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

Newport News has 133.2% higher housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Newport News, VA

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Newport News, VA
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.