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

Riverside

California
144
VS

Hampton

Virginia
88

Riverside is 64% more expensive than Hampton.

$1,812/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,346/mo ↓ 26%
$88,575/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$67,758/yr ↓ 24%
$542,100 ↑ 132%
Home Value
$234,100 ↓ 57%
$1,880/mo ↑ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,347/mo ↓ 28%
316,241
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

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Riverside, CA and Hampton, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $466/month cheaper in Hampton, saving renters about $5,592/year.

Median household income is $20,817/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Riverside is $542,100 compared to $234,100 in Hampton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Riverside vs Hampton — common questions

Is Riverside or Hampton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Hampton is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Riverside and Hampton?
Median rent in Riverside is $1,812/month and in Hampton it's $1,346/month — a difference of $466/month.
Which city has higher income, Riverside or Hampton?
Median household income is $88,575 in Riverside and $67,758 in Hampton. Median household income is $20,817/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside or Hampton?
It depends on your priorities. Riverside has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $1,812/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 Riverside details → View Hampton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Riverside and Hampton

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