City Comparison

Hampton vs Mobile

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Mobile

Alabama
84
Very Affordable
$193,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$53,600
Median Income

The Verdict

4.8%

Living in Mobile costs 4.8% less than Hampton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $71,591 in Mobile.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
60
Mobile
Groceries
94
Hampton
98
Mobile
Utilities
102
Hampton
108
Mobile
Transportation
93
Hampton
90
Mobile
Healthcare
106
Hampton
100
Mobile

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $71,591 in Mobile.

Conversely, $75,000 in Mobile equals $78,571 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Mobile

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Mobile's 60, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $193,000. The $50,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $975/mo in Mobile, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 98 in Mobile. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $466/month in Mobile. 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 108 in Mobile. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $432 in Mobile. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 100 in Mobile. 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 $53,600 in Mobile. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $63,810 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 $1,251/month in Mobile. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Mobile, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mobile is 4.8% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,591 in Mobile, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Mobile's is 60 with median homes at $193,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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