Mobile vs Newport News: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Mobile, AL and Newport News, VA, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricMobile, ALNewport News, VA
Population186,316185,118
Median household income$48,524$63,355
Median home value$158,400$233,400
Median rent (/mo)$985$1,209

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Mobile, AL and Newport News, VA comes down to what you value most. Mobile has the lower median home value, and Mobile has the lower median rent.

Newport News has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Mobile or Newport News?
By median home value, Mobile is the cheaper of the two ($158,400 vs $233,400). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Mobile or Newport News?
Median household income is $48,524 in Mobile versus $63,355 in Newport News, per the US Census Bureau.

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