Hampton vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hampton
Rochester
The Verdict
Hampton is 6.4% less expensive than Rochester overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $80,114 in Rochester 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 $80,114 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $70,213 in Hampton.
Living in Hampton vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $345,000. The $102,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,636 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $489/month in Rochester. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $408 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 104 in Rochester. 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 $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $97,340 respectively. Rochester 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 $2,135/month in Rochester. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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