City Comparison

Hampton vs Santa Rosa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Santa Rosa

California
152
Very Expensive
$720,000
Median Home
$2,100/mo
Median Rent
$94,300
Median Income

The Verdict

42.1%

Living in Hampton costs 42.1% less than Santa Rosa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $129,545 in Santa Rosa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
233
Santa Rosa
Groceries
94
Hampton
107
Santa Rosa
Utilities
102
Hampton
135
Santa Rosa
Transportation
93
Hampton
128
Santa Rosa
Healthcare
106
Hampton
112
Santa Rosa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $129,545 in Santa Rosa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Santa Rosa equals $43,421 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Santa Rosa

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Santa Rosa's 233, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $720,000. The $477,000 difference in home prices means roughly $31,008 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $2,100/mo in Santa Rosa, a monthly difference of $925.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 107 in Santa Rosa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $508/month in Santa Rosa. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $732/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 135 in Santa Rosa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $540 in Santa Rosa. 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 Santa Rosa. 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 $94,300 in Santa Rosa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $62,039 respectively. Hampton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $2,200/month in Santa Rosa. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Santa Rosa, median rent of $2,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 131 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 42.1% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $129,545 in Santa Rosa, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Santa Rosa's is 233 with median homes at $720,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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