City Comparison

Hampton vs Kent

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

The Verdict

35.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 35.8%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $116,761 in Kent.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
195
Kent
Groceries
94
Hampton
109
Kent
Utilities
102
Hampton
92
Kent
Transportation
93
Hampton
117
Kent
Healthcare
106
Hampton
122
Kent

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $116,761 in Kent.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $48,175 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Kent

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $595,000. The $352,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $518/month in Kent. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $71,752 respectively. Kent 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 93 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 35.8% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $116,761 in Kent, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Kent's is 195 with median homes at $595,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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