City Comparison

Brownsville vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brownsville

Texas
75
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$52,100
Median Income

Hampton

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

The Verdict

14.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.8%, with Brownsville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to $88,000 in Hampton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
58
Brownsville
102
Hampton
Groceries
87
Brownsville
94
Hampton
Utilities
79
Brownsville
102
Hampton
Transportation
84
Brownsville
93
Hampton
Healthcare
92
Brownsville
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $88,000 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $63,920 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $243,000. The $88,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $447/month in Hampton. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville 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 92 in Brownsville and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,100 in Brownsville and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 and $67,500 respectively. Brownsville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/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

Brownsville is 14.8% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,000 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Brownsville's housing index is 58 with median homes at $155,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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