City Comparison

Hampton vs Trenton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Trenton

New Jersey
97
Average
$203,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,400
Median Income

The Verdict

9.3%

Living in Hampton costs 9.3% less than Trenton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hampton, you would need $82,670 in Trenton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
71
Trenton
Groceries
94
Hampton
102
Trenton
Utilities
102
Hampton
109
Trenton
Transportation
93
Hampton
113
Trenton
Healthcare
106
Hampton
96
Trenton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $82,670 in Trenton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Trenton equals $68,041 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Trenton

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Trenton's 71, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $203,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,100/mo in Trenton, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 102 in Trenton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $485/month in Trenton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 109 in Trenton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $436 in Trenton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 96 in Trenton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $44,400 in Trenton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $45,773 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 $1,036/month in Trenton. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Trenton, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 9.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,670 in Trenton, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Trenton's is 71 with median homes at $203,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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