College Station vs Hampton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Hampton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with College Station being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in College Station has equivalent purchasing power to $75,862 in Hampton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in College Station has the same purchasing power as $75,862 in Hampton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $74,148 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Hampton
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $243,000. The $71,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station 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 College Station and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $50,900 in College Station and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 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 $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/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 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases