City Comparison

Abilene vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Abilene

Texas
80
Very Affordable
$179,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$62,600
Median Income

Hampton

Virginia
88
Below Average
$243,000
Median Home
$1,175/mo
Median Rent
$59,400
Median Income

The Verdict

9.1%

Living in Abilene costs 9.1% less than Hampton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $82,500 in Hampton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
58
Abilene
102
Hampton
Groceries
91
Abilene
94
Hampton
Utilities
97
Abilene
102
Hampton
Transportation
89
Abilene
93
Hampton
Healthcare
96
Abilene
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $82,500 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $68,182 in Abilene.

Living in Abilene vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $243,000. The $64,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,164 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $447/month in Hampton. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $67,500 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Abilene is 9.1% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,500 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Abilene's housing index is 58 with median homes at $179,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases