Can A Dental Assistant Afford Rent in Newport News, VA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.4% of gross income.

Newport News rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Newport News median rent
$1,587/mo
Dental Assistant salary (Virginia)
$49,531/yr
Rent as % of income
38.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,128, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,238/mo in rent. Newport News's median rent of $1,587 exceeds that threshold by $349/mo, putting a dental assistant salary into the rent-burdened range here. A dental assistant works roughly 66.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental assistant salary

Dental assistant pay sits near the US median household income. At the national-average dental-assistant salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,214 a month in rent, which is achievable in most lower- and mid-cost metros.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Virginia cities have lower median rent than Newport News, which improves the affordability math on a dental assistant salary:

Hampton, VA
$1,585/mo (38.4% of income)
Hampton, VA
$1,585/mo (38.4% of income)
Hampton, VA
$1,581/mo (38.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Newport News

View full rent data for Newport News, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental assistant afford rent in Newport News, VA?

Median rent in Newport News is $1,587 a month. A typical dental assistant in Virginia earns about $49,531 a year, which makes that rent 38.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a dental assistant afford in Newport News?

Using the 30% rule, a dental assistant salary in Virginia (~$49,531/yr) supports up to $1,238 a month in rent. Newport News's current median rent is $1,587/mo, which is $349/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a dental assistant work to cover rent in Newport News?

At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a dental assistant in Virginia works roughly 66.6 hours a month to cover Newport News's median rent of $1,587.

Where is rent cheaper than Newport News for a dental assistant?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Hampton ($1,585/mo), Hampton ($1,585/mo), Hampton ($1,581/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental assistant salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Virginia state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Newport News, VA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.