City Comparison

Athens vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Athens

Georgia
88
Below Average
$307,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,700
Median Income

Hampton

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

The Verdict

0.0%

Living in Athens costs 0.0% less than Hampton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Athens, you would need $75,000 in Hampton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
78
Athens
102
Hampton
Groceries
101
Athens
94
Hampton
Utilities
101
Athens
102
Hampton
Transportation
96
Athens
93
Hampton
Healthcare
97
Athens
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Athens has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $75,000 in Athens.

Living in Athens vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Athens's housing index of 78 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $307,000 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: $1,200/mo in Athens compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Athens and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Athens 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 101 in Athens and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Athens vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Athens and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,700 in Athens and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,432 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 $1,323/month to housing in Athens vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Athens, median rent of $1,200/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 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Athens is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Athens has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Athens's housing index is 78 with median homes at $307,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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