Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 137,334 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.5 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 5.2% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 37.5% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.2% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 6.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Hampton
$67,758
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Hampton
$36,787
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $67,758 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $36,787 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.3% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 27.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $278,048 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Hampton
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Hampton
15.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Hampton
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Hampton
14.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 40.1% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.3% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 61.9°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.0 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while hampton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $278,048. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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