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

Palmdale

California
130
VS

Hampton

Virginia
88

Palmdale is 48% more expensive than Hampton.

$1,736/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$1,346/mo ↓ 22%
$81,151/yr ↑ 20%
Median Income
$67,758/yr ↓ 17%
$435,300 ↑ 86%
Home Value
$234,100 ↓ 46%
$1,831/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,347/mo ↓ 26%
165,487
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

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palmdale, CA and Hampton, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 130 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $390/month cheaper in Hampton, saving renters about $4,680/year.

Median household income is $13,393/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palmdale is $435,300 compared to $234,100 in Hampton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Palmdale vs Hampton — common questions

Is Palmdale or Hampton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Hampton is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palmdale and Hampton?
Median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month and in Hampton it's $1,346/month — a difference of $390/month.
Which city has higher income, Palmdale or Hampton?
Median household income is $81,151 in Palmdale and $67,758 in Hampton. Median household income is $13,393/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale or Hampton?
It depends on your priorities. Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with median rent of $1,736/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 Palmdale details → View Hampton details →

More Comparisons

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