Charleston vs Hampton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Hampton
The Verdict
Charleston is 3.4% less expensive than Hampton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Charleston would need approximately $77,647 in Hampton to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Charleston has the same purchasing power as $77,647 in Hampton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $72,443 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Hampton
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 62 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $243,000. The $108,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,020 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Charleston compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Charleston and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Charleston 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 92 in Charleston and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Charleston vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Charleston and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $42,034 in Charleston and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,452 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 $981/month to housing in Charleston vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Charleston, median rent of $850/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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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