Hampton, VA vs Reston, VA

The cost of living difference between Hampton, VA and Reston, VA is dramatic. Hampton is 39.1% cheaper than Reston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hampton has a cost index of 94 while Reston sits at 155, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hampton is $1,346/month compared to $2,170/month in Reston — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hampton is more affordable at $234,100 median vs $616,000.

Median household income in Hampton is $67,758 compared to $139,515 in Reston (-51.4%). While Reston 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, more than the 18.7% in Reston.