Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Hampton
5.2%
Hampton +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Hampton
6.6%
Hampton +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 137,334 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.5 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 5.2% | Hampton + |
| White | 76.6% | 37.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.2% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 6.6% | Hampton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Hampton
$36,787
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Hampton
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $36,787 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 27.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Hampton
$278,048
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Hampton
55.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $278,048 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Hampton
40.1%
Hampton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Hampton
15.0%
Hampton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Hampton
9.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 40.1% | Hampton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.0% | Hampton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.3% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 61.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 24.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, 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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