City Comparison

Hampton vs Scottsdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Scottsdale

Arizona
123
Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,000/mo
Median Rent
$92,298
Median Income

The Verdict

28.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 28.5%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $104,830 in Scottsdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
162
Scottsdale
Groceries
94
Hampton
103
Scottsdale
Utilities
102
Hampton
96
Scottsdale
Transportation
93
Hampton
103
Scottsdale
Healthcare
106
Hampton
95
Scottsdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $104,830 in Scottsdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scottsdale equals $53,659 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Scottsdale

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Scottsdale's 162, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $580,000. The $337,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $2,000/mo in Scottsdale, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 103 in Scottsdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $489/month in Scottsdale. 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 96 in Scottsdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $384 in Scottsdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 95 in Scottsdale. 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 $92,298 in Scottsdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $75,039 respectively. Scottsdale 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 $2,154/month in Scottsdale. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Scottsdale, median rent of $2,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 28.5% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 123.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $104,830 in Scottsdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Scottsdale's is 162 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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