City Comparison

Hampton vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

3.5%

Living in Johnson City costs 3.5% less than Hampton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $72,443 in Johnson City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
66
Johnson City
Groceries
94
Hampton
95
Johnson City
Utilities
102
Hampton
95
Johnson City
Transportation
93
Hampton
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
106
Hampton
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $72,443 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $77,647 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $276,000. The $33,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $451/month in Johnson City. 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 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 94 in Johnson City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $65,176 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 $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 3.5% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,443 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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