City Comparison

Anchorage vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Anchorage

Alaska
127
Expensive
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$72,515
Median Income

Hampton

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

The Verdict

44.3%

Living in Hampton costs 44.3% less than Anchorage. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $51,969 in Hampton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
142
Anchorage
102
Hampton
Groceries
120
Anchorage
94
Hampton
Utilities
130
Anchorage
102
Hampton
Transportation
108
Anchorage
93
Hampton
Healthcare
128
Anchorage
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Anchorage has the same purchasing power as $51,969 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $108,239 in Anchorage.

Living in Anchorage vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Anchorage's housing index of 142 is higher Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $243,000. The $97,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Anchorage compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 120 in Anchorage and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $570/month in Anchorage vs $447/month in Hampton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1476/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 130 in Anchorage and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $520 in Anchorage vs $408 in Hampton. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 128 in Anchorage and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $72,515 in Anchorage and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,098 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 $1,692/month to housing in Anchorage vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Anchorage, median rent of $1,400/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 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 44.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 127.
A $75,000 salary in Anchorage has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $51,969 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Anchorage's housing index is 142 with median homes at $340,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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