City Comparison

Hampton vs Hartford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Hartford

Connecticut
112
Above Average
$215,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$40,068
Median Income

The Verdict

21.4%

Hampton is 21.4% less expensive than Hartford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $95,455 in Hartford to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
121
Hartford
Groceries
94
Hampton
106
Hartford
Utilities
102
Hampton
124
Hartford
Transportation
93
Hampton
102
Hartford
Healthcare
106
Hampton
114
Hartford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $95,455 in Hartford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hartford equals $58,929 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Hartford

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Hartford's 121, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $215,000. The $28,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,200/mo in Hartford, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 124 in Hartford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $496 in Hartford. 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 106 in Hampton and 114 in Hartford. 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 $59,400 in Hampton and $40,068 in Hartford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $35,775 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 $935/month in Hartford. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Hartford, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 21.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $95,455 in Hartford, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Hartford's is 121 with median homes at $215,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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