City Comparison

Hampton vs Sandy

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Sandy

Utah
128
Expensive
$630,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$111,200
Median Income

The Verdict

31.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 31.2%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $109,091 in Sandy.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
189
Sandy
Groceries
94
Hampton
100
Sandy
Utilities
102
Hampton
88
Sandy
Transportation
93
Hampton
106
Sandy
Healthcare
106
Hampton
95
Sandy

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $109,091 in Sandy.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sandy equals $51,563 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Sandy

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Sandy's 189, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $630,000. The $387,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,725/mo in Sandy, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 100 in Sandy. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $475/month in Sandy. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 88 in Sandy. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $352 in Sandy. 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 95 in Sandy. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $111,200 in Sandy. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $86,875 respectively. Sandy 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 $2,595/month in Sandy. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Sandy, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 87 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 31.2% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $109,091 in Sandy, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Sandy's is 189 with median homes at $630,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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