City Comparison

Hampton vs St. Paul

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

St. Paul

Minnesota
100
Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$57,718
Median Income

The Verdict

12.0%

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

Housing
102
Hampton
98
St. Paul
Groceries
94
Hampton
103
St. Paul
Utilities
102
Hampton
97
St. Paul
Transportation
93
Hampton
108
St. Paul
Healthcare
106
Hampton
105
St. Paul

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

Hampton is 12.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,227 in St. Paul, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while St. Paul's is 98 with median homes at $260,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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