⚖️ City Comparison

Hampton vs Oakland

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data

Hampton

Virginia
100
Average
$307,000
Median Home
$1,170/mo
Median Rent
$56,600
Median Income

Oakland

California
165
Extremely Expensive
$780,000
Median Home
$2,700/mo
Median Rent
$73,692
Median Income

💡 The Verdict

39% Cheaper

Hampton is 39% cheaper than Oakland overall. A $75,000 salary in Hampton is equivalent to $123,750 in Oakland.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values for Hampton (left) vs Oakland (right). National average = 100.

Housing
85
Housing
264
Groceries
91
Groceries
109
Utilities
103
Utilities
118
Transportation
107
Transportation
113
Healthcare
111
Healthcare
113

Detailed Price Comparison

Estimated item-level prices in Hampton versus Oakland. Differences shown from Hampton perspective.

ItemHamptonOaklandDifference
1-Bed Rent$870/mo$2,010/mo$-1140.00
2-Bed Rent$1,170/mo$2,700/mo$-1530.00
3-Bed Rent$1,660/mo$3,440/mo$-1780.00
Bread (loaf)$2.63$3.14$-0.51
Milk (gallon)$3.62$4.54$-0.92
Eggs (dozen)$3.23$3.65$-0.42
Coffee (latte)$5.38$6.17$-0.79
Gas (gallon)$3.25$3.61$-0.36
Restaurant Meal$16.00$22.64$-6.64

💰 Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $123,750 in Oakland.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oakland equals $45,455 in Hampton.

💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison

Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.

$53,887
Hampton (Virginia)
$52,987
Oakland (California)

The $900 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. Virginia details → · California details →

⚙️ Customize Your Comparison

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Your Weighted Score
100 vs 165

Reading These Numbers: Hampton (100) vs Oakland (165)

Hampton at 100 is 0% below the US average, while Oakland at 165 is 65% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

In Hampton, the composite index of 100 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 85, followed by groceries (91), utilities (103), transportation (107), and healthcare (111). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.

For renters: With median rents of $1,170/mo in Hampton and $2,700/mo in Oakland, the annual rent difference is approximately $18,360.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $91,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $473,000.0 difference in median home prices between Hampton and Oakland translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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Making Your Decision: Hampton vs Oakland

Choosing between Hampton and Oakland involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.

Long-term affordability in Hampton versus Oakland depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.