City Comparison

Allentown vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania
98
Average
$232,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

Hampton

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

The Verdict

11.4%

Hampton is 11.4% less expensive than Allentown overall. A household earning $75,000 in Allentown would need approximately $67,347 in Hampton to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
102
Hampton
Groceries
101
Allentown
94
Hampton
Utilities
102
Allentown
102
Hampton
Transportation
103
Allentown
93
Hampton
Healthcare
83
Allentown
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $67,347 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $83,523 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $243,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $447/month in Hampton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,500 in Allentown and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $67,500 respectively. Hampton residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 11.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,347 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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