City Comparison

Hampton vs Harrisburg

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Harrisburg

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$145,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$46,200
Median Income

The Verdict

2.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.2%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $76,705 in Harrisburg.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
65
Harrisburg
Groceries
94
Hampton
96
Harrisburg
Utilities
102
Hampton
102
Harrisburg
Transportation
93
Hampton
102
Harrisburg
Healthcare
106
Hampton
84
Harrisburg

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $76,705 in Harrisburg.

Conversely, $75,000 in Harrisburg equals $73,333 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Harrisburg

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Harrisburg's 65, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $145,000. The $98,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,372 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,100/mo in Harrisburg, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 96 in Harrisburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $456/month in Harrisburg. 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 102 in Hampton and 102 in Harrisburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $408 in Harrisburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 84 in Harrisburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $59,400 in Hampton and $46,200 in Harrisburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $51,333 respectively. Hampton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $1,078/month in Harrisburg. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Harrisburg, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 2.2% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,705 in Harrisburg, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Harrisburg's is 65 with median homes at $145,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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