Elgin vs Hampton

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Elgin has the same purchasing power as $69,474 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $80,966 in Elgin.

Living in Elgin vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Elgin's housing index of 89 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $243,000. The $36,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,340 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin vs $447/month in Hampton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Elgin and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin 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 105 in Elgin and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $90,300 in Elgin and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $67,500 respectively. Elgin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,107/month to housing in Elgin vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/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 Transportation, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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