City Comparison

Hampton vs New Haven

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

The Verdict

25.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.4%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $100,568 in New Haven.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
137
New Haven
Groceries
94
Hampton
106
New Haven
Utilities
102
Hampton
124
New Haven
Transportation
93
Hampton
102
New Haven
Healthcare
106
Hampton
114
New Haven

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $100,568 in New Haven.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $55,932 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs New Haven

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $250,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,400/mo in New Haven, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $504/month in New Haven. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $496 in New Haven. 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 114 in New Haven. 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 $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $35,727 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 $984/month in New Haven. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 25.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,568 in New Haven, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while New Haven's is 137 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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