Hampton, VA vs Richmond, VA

Hampton is moderately more affordable than Richmond, with a 6.9% lower cost of living index. Hampton scores 94 compared to 101 for Richmond, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Richmond can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hampton is $1,346/month compared to $1,314/month in Richmond — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Richmond has cheaper rent, Hampton actually has lower median home values ($234,100 vs $328,100).

Median household income in Hampton is $67,758 compared to $62,671 in Richmond (+8.1%). Hampton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hampton spend roughly 23.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.2% in Richmond.