Birmingham AL vs Hampton VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Hampton
5.2%
Hampton +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Hampton
37.5%
Hampton +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Hampton
49.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Hampton
6.6%
Hampton +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 137,334 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.5 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 5.2% | Hampton + |
| White | 25.6% | 37.5% | Hampton + |
| Black | 67.1% | 49.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.2% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 6.6% | Hampton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Hampton
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $36,787 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.3% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 27.5% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Hampton
$278,048
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $278,048 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Hampton
40.1%
Hampton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Hampton
15.0%
Hampton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Hampton
13.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.1% | Hampton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.0% | Hampton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.3% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 61.9°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.0 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hampton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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