Chesapeake vs Hampton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Chesapeake
Hampton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.2%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Chesapeake has equivalent purchasing power to $63,462 in Hampton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has the same purchasing power as $63,462 in Hampton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $88,636 in Chesapeake.
Living in Chesapeake vs Hampton
Housing Costs
Chesapeake's housing index of 120 is higher Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $243,000. The $142,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,228 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,550/mo in Chesapeake compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Chesapeake and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Chesapeake vs $447/month in Hampton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Chesapeake and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Chesapeake vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Chesapeake 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 $94,200 in Chesapeake and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,577 and $67,500 respectively. Chesapeake residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,198/month to housing in Chesapeake vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/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 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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