Hampton vs Lake Charles
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hampton
Lake Charles
The Verdict
Lake Charles is 4.8% less expensive than Hampton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $71,591 in Lake Charles to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $71,591 in Lake Charles.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lake Charles equals $78,571 in Hampton.
Living in Hampton vs Lake Charles
Housing Costs
Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Lake Charles's 69, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $149,000. The $94,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,108 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $925/mo in Lake Charles, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 96 in Lake Charles. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $456/month in Lake Charles. 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 71 in Lake Charles. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $284 in Lake Charles. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 102 in Lake Charles. 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 $59,200 in Lake Charles. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $70,476 respectively. Lake Charles 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 $1,381/month in Lake Charles. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Lake Charles, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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