Hampton vs Worcester

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 $106,534 in Worcester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $52,800 in Hampton.

Living in Hampton vs Worcester

Housing Costs

Hampton's housing index of 102 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $243,000 vs $340,000. The $97,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,300 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 Worcester, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Hampton and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Hampton vs $504/month in Worcester. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Hampton and 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Hampton vs $488 in Worcester. 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 115 in Worcester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,500 and $41,782 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 $1,219/month in Worcester. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo fits within this budget. In Worcester, 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 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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