Hampton vs Johnson City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hampton
Johnson City
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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