Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Hampton, VA (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Hampton

Virginia
88

Irvine is 191% more expensive than Hampton.

$2,893/mo ↑ 115%
Median Rent
$1,346/mo ↓ 53%
$129,647/yr ↑ 91%
Median Income
$67,758/yr ↓ 48%
$1,115,400 ↑ 376%
Home Value
$234,100 ↓ 79%
$2,904/mo ↑ 116%
Owner Costs
$1,347/mo ↓ 54%
308,160
Population
137,334

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Hampton, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,547/month cheaper in Hampton, saving renters about $18,564/year.

Median household income is $61,889/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $234,100 in Hampton.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Hampton slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Hampton — common questions

Is Irvine or Hampton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Hampton is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Hampton?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Hampton it's $1,346/month — a difference of $1,547/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Hampton?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $67,758 in Hampton. Median household income is $61,889/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Virginia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Hampton?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Hampton has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,346/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Hampton details →

More Comparisons

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