Median rent is 1% lower in Pensacola ($1,322/mo vs $1,339/mo). Buying is cheaper in Newport News, where the median home runs $260,600 versus $314,400. Households earn more in Pensacola ($74,212 vs $69,634 a year). Taken together, Newport News is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 97.8 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Pensacola, FL.
City A
Newport News, VA
City B
Pensacola, FL
How much would you need to earn in Pensacola, FL to maintain your standard of living from Newport News, VA?
Equivalent salary in Pensacola, FL
$75,093
You'd need $93 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Newport News
Virginia
Pensacola
Florida
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,339/mo in Newport News and $1,322/mo in Pensacola. Median home values are within 17% of each other: $260,600 in Newport News and $314,400 in Pensacola.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Newport News
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Pensacola
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Newport News (avg AQI 45.0) but not yet for Pensacola.
Pick Pensacola if you prioritize higher median household income ($74,212/yr).
Is Newport News cheaper than Pensacola?
Newport News is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 97.8 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Newport News.
How much is rent in Newport News vs Pensacola?
Median rent is $1,339/mo in Newport News, VA and $1,322/mo in Pensacola, FL. Pensacola, FL has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Newport News or Pensacola?
Median household income is $69,634 in Newport News, VA and $74,212 in Pensacola, FL. Pensacola, FL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Newport News or Pensacola?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Pensacola to match my Newport News income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Newport News, VA is equivalent to roughly $100,124 in Pensacola, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
