Hampton vs Rapid City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hampton
Rapid City
The Verdict
Hampton is 10.2% less expensive than Rapid City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $83,523 in Rapid City 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 $83,523 in Rapid City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rapid City equals $67,347 in Hampton.
Living in Hampton vs Rapid City
Housing Costs
Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Rapid City's 91, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $325,000. The $82,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,328 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,100/mo in Rapid City, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 102 in Rapid City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $485/month in Rapid City. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 87 in Rapid City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $348 in Rapid City. 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 107 in Rapid City. 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 $70,900 in Rapid City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $72,347 respectively. Rapid City 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 $1,654/month in Rapid City. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Rapid City, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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