City Comparison

Hampton vs Lafayette

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Lafayette

Louisiana
90
Below Average
$214,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,900
Median Income

The Verdict

2.2%

Living in Hampton costs 2.2% less than Lafayette. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $76,705 in Lafayette.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
73
Lafayette
Groceries
94
Hampton
96
Lafayette
Utilities
102
Hampton
97
Lafayette
Transportation
93
Hampton
96
Lafayette
Healthcare
106
Hampton
80
Lafayette

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $76,705 in Lafayette.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $73,333 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Lafayette

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $214,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,100/mo in Lafayette, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $456/month in Lafayette. 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 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $388 in Lafayette. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $68,778 respectively. Lafayette 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 $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 2.2% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,705 in Lafayette, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Lafayette's is 73 with median homes at $214,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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