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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Hampton

Virginia
88

San Francisco is 203% more expensive than Hampton.

$2,419/mo ↑ 80%
Median Rent
$1,346/mo ↓ 44%
$141,446/yr ↑ 109%
Median Income
$67,758/yr ↓ 52%
$1,380,500 ↑ 490%
Home Value
$234,100 ↓ 83%
$2,620/mo ↑ 95%
Owner Costs
$1,347/mo ↓ 49%
836,321
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

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Hampton, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,073/month cheaper in Hampton, saving renters about $12,876/year.

Median household income is $73,688/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $234,100 in Hampton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Hampton — common questions

Is San Francisco or Hampton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Hampton is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Hampton?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Hampton it's $1,346/month — a difference of $1,073/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Hampton?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $67,758 in Hampton. Median household income is $73,688/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Hampton?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Hampton details →

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