Detroit MI 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)

Detroit, MI

Michigan · Population: 636,644

  • Median HH Income$39,575
  • Median Home Price$76,488
  • Unemployment14.1%
  • Bachelor's+17.6%

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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Hampton
37.5%
Hampton +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Hampton
49.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Hampton
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Hampton
$278,048
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Hampton
1726

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Hampton
40.1%
Hampton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Hampton
15.0%
Hampton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Hampton
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Hampton
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +

Which City is Right for You?

Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Detroit & Hampton