City Comparison

Hampton vs Stockton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Stockton

California
114
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$54,658
Median Income

The Verdict

22.8%

Living in Hampton costs 22.8% less than Stockton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $97,159 in Stockton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
126
Stockton
Groceries
94
Hampton
101
Stockton
Utilities
102
Hampton
108
Stockton
Transportation
93
Hampton
111
Stockton
Healthcare
106
Hampton
101
Stockton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $97,159 in Stockton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockton equals $57,895 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Stockton

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Stockton's 126, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $400,000. The $157,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,200 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,500/mo in Stockton, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 101 in Stockton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $480/month in Stockton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 108 in Stockton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $432 in Stockton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 101 in Stockton. 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 $54,658 in Stockton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $47,946 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 $1,275/month in Stockton. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Stockton, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 22.8% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 114.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,159 in Stockton, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Stockton's is 126 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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