City Comparison

Hampton vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

11.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 11.4%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $67,330 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
49
Montgomery
Groceries
94
Hampton
99
Montgomery
Utilities
102
Hampton
115
Montgomery
Transportation
93
Hampton
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
106
Hampton
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $67,330 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $83,544 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $162,000. The $81,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,268 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 11.4% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,330 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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