Hampton, VA vs Portsmouth, VA

Hampton, VA and Portsmouth, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Hampton scores 94 while Portsmouth scores 91 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hampton is $1,346/month compared to $1,266/month in Portsmouth — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $229,400 median vs $234,100.

Median household income in Hampton is $67,758 compared to $58,972 in Portsmouth (+14.9%). While Hampton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hampton spend roughly 23.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Portsmouth.