City Comparison

Elk Grove vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Elk Grove

California
144
Expensive
$608,000
Median Home
$1,975/mo
Median Rent
$123,200
Median Income

Hampton

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

The Verdict

63.6%

Hampton is 63.6% less expensive than Elk Grove overall. A household earning $75,000 in Elk Grove would need approximately $45,833 in Hampton to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
221
Elk Grove
102
Hampton
Groceries
106
Elk Grove
94
Hampton
Utilities
115
Elk Grove
102
Hampton
Transportation
118
Elk Grove
93
Hampton
Healthcare
103
Elk Grove
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Elk Grove has the same purchasing power as $45,833 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $122,727 in Elk Grove.

Living in Elk Grove vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Elk Grove's housing index of 221 is higher Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $608,000 vs $243,000. The $365,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,975/mo in Elk Grove compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $800.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Elk Grove and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Elk Grove vs $447/month in Hampton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Elk Grove and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Elk Grove 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 103 in Elk Grove 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 $123,200 in Elk Grove and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,556 and $67,500 respectively. Elk Grove residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,875/month to housing in Elk Grove vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Elk Grove, median rent of $1,975/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 119 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 63.6% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 144.
A $75,000 salary in Elk Grove has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $45,833 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Elk Grove's housing index is 221 with median homes at $608,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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