Hampton vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hampton
Lakewood
The Verdict
Living in Hampton costs 33.8% less than Lakewood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $113,352 in Lakewood.
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 $113,352 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $49,624 in Hampton.
Living in Hampton vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $574,000. The $331,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $340 in Lakewood. 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 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $63,008 respectively. Hampton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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