Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 137,334 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 5.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 37.5% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 6.6% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $36,787 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.3% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 27.5% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Hampton
$278,048
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $278,048 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Hampton
40.1%
Hampton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Hampton
15.0%
Hampton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 40.1% | Hampton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.0% | Hampton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 61.9°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.0 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. 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, Hampton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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