City Comparison

Hampton vs Nashville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Nashville

Tennessee
102
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$59,828
Median Income

The Verdict

13.7%

Hampton is 13.7% less expensive than Nashville overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $86,932 in Nashville to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
108
Nashville
Groceries
94
Hampton
96
Nashville
Utilities
102
Hampton
92
Nashville
Transportation
93
Hampton
100
Nashville
Healthcare
106
Hampton
98
Nashville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $86,932 in Nashville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nashville equals $64,706 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Nashville

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Nashville's 108, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $380,000. The $137,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,600/mo in Nashville, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 96 in Nashville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $456/month in Nashville. 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 92 in Nashville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $368 in Nashville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 98 in Nashville. 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 $59,828 in Nashville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $58,655 respectively. Hampton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $1,396/month in Nashville. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Nashville, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 13.7% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,932 in Nashville, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Nashville's is 108 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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