City Comparison

Hampton vs Huntsville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Huntsville

Alabama
91
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,098
Median Income

The Verdict

3.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.3%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $77,557 in Huntsville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
79
Huntsville
Groceries
94
Hampton
96
Huntsville
Utilities
102
Hampton
91
Huntsville
Transportation
93
Hampton
98
Huntsville
Healthcare
106
Hampton
93
Huntsville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $77,557 in Huntsville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Huntsville equals $72,527 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Huntsville

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Huntsville's 79, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $260,000. The $17,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,104 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 Huntsville, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 96 in Huntsville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $456/month in Huntsville. 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 91 in Huntsville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $364 in Huntsville. 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 93 in Huntsville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $56,098 in Huntsville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $61,646 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 $1,309/month in Huntsville. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Huntsville, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 3.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,557 in Huntsville, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Huntsville's is 79 with median homes at $260,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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