City Comparison

Hampton vs Lexington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

The Verdict

5.4%

Living in Hampton costs 5.4% less than Lexington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $79,261 in Lexington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
82
Lexington
Groceries
94
Hampton
96
Lexington
Utilities
102
Hampton
91
Lexington
Transportation
93
Hampton
98
Lexington
Healthcare
106
Hampton
94
Lexington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $79,261 in Lexington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $70,968 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Lexington

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $245,000. The $2,000 difference in home prices means roughly $132 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $456/month in Lexington. 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 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $364 in Lexington. 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 94 in Lexington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $59,837 respectively. Hampton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $1,298/month in Lexington. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 5.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,261 in Lexington, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Lexington's is 82 with median homes at $245,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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