Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 137,334 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 36.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 5.2% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 37.5% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 6.6% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Hampton
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $36,787 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.3% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 27.5% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $278,048 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Hampton
1726
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Hampton
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Hampton
15.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Hampton
14.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 40.1% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 15.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.3% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 61.9°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.0 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, 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 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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