City Comparison

Hampton vs Murrieta

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Murrieta

California
131
Expensive
$640,000
Median Home
$2,450/mo
Median Rent
$114,100
Median Income

The Verdict

32.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 32.8%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $111,648 in Murrieta.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
179
Murrieta
Groceries
94
Hampton
115
Murrieta
Utilities
102
Hampton
91
Murrieta
Transportation
93
Hampton
136
Murrieta
Healthcare
106
Hampton
104
Murrieta

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $111,648 in Murrieta.

Conversely, $75,000 in Murrieta equals $50,382 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Murrieta

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Murrieta's 179, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $640,000. The $397,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $2,450/mo in Murrieta, a monthly difference of $1,275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 115 in Murrieta. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $546/month in Murrieta. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1188/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 91 in Murrieta. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $364 in Murrieta. 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 104 in Murrieta. 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 $114,100 in Murrieta. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $87,099 respectively. Murrieta 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 $2,662/month in Murrieta. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Murrieta, median rent of $2,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 32.8% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $111,648 in Murrieta, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Murrieta's is 179 with median homes at $640,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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