Grand Rapids 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 137,334 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 5.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 37.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 6.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $36,787 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 27.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $278,048 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
1726
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
15.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
14.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 61.9°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.0 min | Grand Rapids + |
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 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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