City Comparison

Cleveland vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cleveland

Ohio
87
Below Average
$100,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$32,053
Median Income

Hampton

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

The Verdict

1.1%

Living in Cleveland costs 1.1% less than Hampton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cleveland, you would need $75,862 in Hampton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
59
Cleveland
102
Hampton
Groceries
99
Cleveland
94
Hampton
Utilities
96
Cleveland
102
Hampton
Transportation
101
Cleveland
93
Hampton
Healthcare
96
Cleveland
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cleveland has the same purchasing power as $75,862 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $74,148 in Cleveland.

Living in Cleveland vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Cleveland's housing index of 59 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $100,000 vs $243,000. The $143,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Cleveland compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Cleveland and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Cleveland 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 96 in Cleveland and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Cleveland vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Cleveland and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $32,053 in Cleveland and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $36,843 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 $748/month to housing in Cleveland vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Cleveland, median rent of $900/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 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Cleveland has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,862 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Cleveland's housing index is 59 with median homes at $100,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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