City Comparison

Hampton vs Olympia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Olympia

Washington
112
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$81,300
Median Income

The Verdict

21.4%

Living in Hampton costs 21.4% less than Olympia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $95,455 in Olympia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
131
Olympia
Groceries
94
Hampton
105
Olympia
Utilities
102
Hampton
91
Olympia
Transportation
93
Hampton
129
Olympia
Healthcare
106
Hampton
124
Olympia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $95,455 in Olympia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $58,929 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Olympia

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $495,000. The $252,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,380 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 Olympia, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $499/month in Olympia. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $364 in Olympia. 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 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $72,589 respectively. Olympia 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 21.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $95,455 in Olympia, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Olympia's is 131 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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