City Comparison

Hampton vs Tempe

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Tempe

Arizona
106
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$56,068
Median Income

The Verdict

17.0%

Hampton is 17.0% less expensive than Tempe overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $90,341 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
114
Tempe
Groceries
94
Hampton
100
Tempe
Utilities
102
Hampton
96
Tempe
Transportation
93
Hampton
103
Tempe
Healthcare
106
Hampton
95
Tempe

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $90,341 in Tempe.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $62,264 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Tempe

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Tempe's 114, 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 $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $475/month in Tempe. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 17.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,341 in Tempe, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Tempe's is 114 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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