City Comparison

Hampton vs Macon

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Macon

Georgia
76
Very Affordable
$194,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$47,000
Median Income

The Verdict

15.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.8%, with Macon being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $64,773 in Macon.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
44
Macon
Groceries
94
Hampton
101
Macon
Utilities
102
Hampton
102
Macon
Transportation
93
Hampton
89
Macon
Healthcare
106
Hampton
106
Macon

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $64,773 in Macon.

Conversely, $75,000 in Macon equals $86,842 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Macon

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Macon's 44, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $194,000. The $49,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,050/mo in Macon, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 101 in Macon. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $480/month in Macon. 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 102 in Macon. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $408 in Macon. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 106 in Macon. 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 $47,000 in Macon. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $61,842 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 $1,097/month in Macon. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Macon, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Macon is 15.8% more affordable overall with an index of 76 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,773 in Macon, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Macon's is 44 with median homes at $194,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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