City Comparison

Hampton vs Joliet

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Joliet

Illinois
95
Below Average
$275,000
Median Home
$1,325/mo
Median Rent
$88,000
Median Income

The Verdict

7.4%

Living in Hampton costs 7.4% less than Joliet. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $80,966 in Joliet.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
85
Joliet
Groceries
94
Hampton
101
Joliet
Utilities
102
Hampton
94
Joliet
Transportation
93
Hampton
108
Joliet
Healthcare
106
Hampton
102
Joliet

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $80,966 in Joliet.

Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $69,474 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Joliet

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $275,000. The $32,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $480/month in Joliet. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 102 in Joliet. 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 $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $92,632 respectively. Joliet residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 7.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,966 in Joliet, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Joliet's is 85 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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