City Comparison

Baton Rouge vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana
91
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,982
Median Income

Hampton

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

The Verdict

3.4%

Living in Hampton costs 3.4% less than Baton Rouge. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Baton Rouge, you would need $72,527 in Hampton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Baton Rouge
102
Hampton
Groceries
96
Baton Rouge
94
Hampton
Utilities
89
Baton Rouge
102
Hampton
Transportation
101
Baton Rouge
93
Hampton
Healthcare
93
Baton Rouge
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Baton Rouge has the same purchasing power as $72,527 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $77,557 in Baton Rouge.

Living in Baton Rouge vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Baton Rouge's housing index of 75 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $243,000. The $48,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Baton Rouge compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Baton Rouge and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Baton Rouge 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 89 in Baton Rouge and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Baton Rouge 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 93 in Baton Rouge and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $44,982 in Baton Rouge and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,431 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 $1,050/month to housing in Baton Rouge vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Baton Rouge, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 3.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Baton Rouge has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,527 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Baton Rouge's housing index is 75 with median homes at $195,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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