Hampton vs Providence
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hampton
Providence
The Verdict
Hampton is 20.0% less expensive than Providence overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $93,750 in Providence to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $93,750 in Providence.
Conversely, $75,000 in Providence equals $60,000 in Hampton.
Living in Hampton vs Providence
Housing Costs
Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Providence's 118, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $310,000. The $67,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,356 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,500/mo in Providence, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 105 in Providence. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $499/month in Providence. 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 119 in Providence. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $476 in Providence. 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 112 in Providence. 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 $47,012 in Providence. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $42,738 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 $1,097/month in Providence. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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