City Comparison

Hampton vs Philadelphia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania
106
Above Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$49,127
Median Income

The Verdict

17.0%

Living in Hampton costs 17.0% less than Philadelphia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $90,341 in Philadelphia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
107
Philadelphia
Groceries
94
Hampton
104
Philadelphia
Utilities
102
Hampton
113
Philadelphia
Transportation
93
Hampton
108
Philadelphia
Healthcare
106
Hampton
101
Philadelphia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $90,341 in Philadelphia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $62,264 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Philadelphia

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $240,000. The $3,000 difference in home prices means roughly $192 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 Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $494/month in Philadelphia. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 113 in Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $452 in Philadelphia. 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 101 in Philadelphia. 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 $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $46,346 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 $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 17.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,341 in Philadelphia, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Philadelphia's is 107 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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