Hampton vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hampton
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 14.6%, with Hampton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hampton has equivalent purchasing power to $87,784 in Wilmington.
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 $87,784 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $64,078 in Hampton.
Living in Hampton vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $320,000. The $77,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,004 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Hampton compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hampton and 106 in Wilmington. 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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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