City Comparison

Hampton vs Scranton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Scranton

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

2.2%

Hampton is 2.2% less expensive than Scranton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $76,705 in Scranton to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
65
Scranton
Groceries
94
Hampton
98
Scranton
Utilities
102
Hampton
102
Scranton
Transportation
93
Hampton
101
Scranton
Healthcare
106
Hampton
90
Scranton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $76,705 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $73,333 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $195,000. The $48,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $466/month in Scranton. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $55,000 respectively. Hampton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 2.2% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,705 in Scranton, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Scranton's is 65 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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