Hampton vs Milwaukee
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hampton
Milwaukee
The Verdict
Living in Hampton costs 4.3% less than Milwaukee. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $78,409 in Milwaukee.
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 $78,409 in Milwaukee.
Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $71,739 in Hampton.
Living in Hampton vs Milwaukee
Housing Costs
Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Milwaukee's 80, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $175,000. The $68,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,416 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 Milwaukee, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 100 in Milwaukee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $475/month in Milwaukee. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 97 in Milwaukee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $388 in Milwaukee. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 102 in Milwaukee. 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 $44,044 in Milwaukee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $47,874 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 $1,028/month in Milwaukee. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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