Hampton vs St. Paul
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hampton
St. Paul
The Verdict
Living in Hampton costs 12.0% less than St. Paul. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $85,227 in St. Paul.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $85,227 in St. Paul.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $66,000 in Hampton.
Living in Hampton vs St. Paul
Housing Costs
Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $260,000. The $17,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,104 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $489/month in St. Paul. 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 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 105 in St. Paul. 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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases