City Comparison

Hampton vs Washington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hampton

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

Washington

District of Columbia
152
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,300/mo
Median Rent
$90,842
Median Income

The Verdict

42.1%

Hampton is 42.1% less expensive than Washington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $129,545 in Washington to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
Hampton
226
Washington
Groceries
94
Hampton
108
Washington
Utilities
102
Hampton
118
Washington
Transportation
93
Hampton
109
Washington
Healthcare
106
Hampton
105
Washington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $129,545 in Washington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Washington equals $43,421 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Washington

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Washington's 226, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $580,000. The $337,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $2,300/mo in Washington, a monthly difference of $1,125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 108 in Washington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $513/month in Washington. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $792/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 118 in Washington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $472 in Washington. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 105 in Washington. 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 $90,842 in Washington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $59,764 respectively. Hampton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,386/month to housing in Hampton vs $2,120/month in Washington. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Washington, median rent of $2,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 124 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 42.1% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $129,545 in Washington, based on the cost of living difference.
Hampton's housing index is 102 with median homes at $243,000, while Washington's is 226 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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