City Comparison

Hampton vs St. Louis

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

St. Louis

Missouri
90
Below Average
$175,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$45,782
Median Income

The Verdict

2.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.2%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $76,705 in St. Louis.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
72
St. Louis
Groceries
94
Hampton
97
St. Louis
Utilities
102
Hampton
95
St. Louis
Transportation
93
Hampton
103
St. Louis
Healthcare
106
Hampton
95
St. Louis

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Louis equals $73,333 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs St. Louis

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher St. Louis's 72, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $175,000. The $68,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,000/mo in St. Louis, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 97 in St. Louis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $461/month in St. Louis. 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 95 in St. Louis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $380 in St. Louis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 95 in St. Louis. 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 $45,782 in St. Louis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $50,869 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 $1,068/month in St. Louis. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In St. Louis, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 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 St. Louis, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while St. Louis's is 72 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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