City Comparison

Hampton vs Seoul

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Seoul

South Korea
82
Very Affordable
$520,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$38,000
Median Income

The Verdict

7.3%

Living in Seoul costs 7.3% less than Hampton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $69,886 in Seoul.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
115
Seoul
Groceries
94
Hampton
88
Seoul
Utilities
102
Hampton
68
Seoul
Transportation
93
Hampton
62
Seoul
Healthcare
106
Hampton
52
Seoul

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $69,886 in Seoul.

Conversely, $75,000 in Seoul equals $80,488 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Seoul

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Seoul's 115, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $520,000. The $277,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,000 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,100/mo in Seoul, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 88 in Seoul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $418/month in Seoul. Seoul offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 68 in Seoul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $272 in Seoul. 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 52 in Seoul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 54-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 $38,000 in Seoul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $46,341 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 $887/month in Seoul. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Seoul, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Seoul is 7.3% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,886 in Seoul, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Seoul's is 115 with median homes at $520,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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