Hampton vs Waterbury
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hampton
Waterbury
The Verdict
Hampton is 7.4% less expensive than Waterbury overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hampton would need approximately $80,966 in Waterbury to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hampton has the same purchasing power as $80,966 in Waterbury.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $69,474 in Hampton.
Living in Hampton vs Waterbury
Housing Costs
Hampton's housing index of 102 is higher Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $280,000. The $37,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $480/month in Waterbury. 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 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $472 in Waterbury. 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 99 in Waterbury. 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 $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $51,263 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 $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Waterbury, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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