City Comparison

Greensboro vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Greensboro

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$230,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

Hampton

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

The Verdict

4.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.5%, with Greensboro being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Greensboro has equivalent purchasing power to $78,571 in Hampton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Greensboro
102
Hampton
Groceries
96
Greensboro
94
Hampton
Utilities
98
Greensboro
102
Hampton
Transportation
92
Greensboro
93
Hampton
Healthcare
101
Greensboro
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Greensboro has the same purchasing power as $78,571 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $71,591 in Greensboro.

Living in Greensboro vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Greensboro's housing index of 62 is lower Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $230,000 vs $243,000. The $13,000 difference in home prices means roughly $840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Greensboro compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Greensboro and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Greensboro 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 98 in Greensboro and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Greensboro vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Greensboro 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 $49,500 in Greensboro and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,929 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 $1,155/month to housing in Greensboro vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Greensboro, median rent of $1,050/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 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Greensboro is 4.5% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Greensboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,571 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Greensboro's housing index is 62 with median homes at $230,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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