Hampton VA vs Houston TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Hampton +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 37.5% | 35.5% | Hampton + |
| Black | 49.0% | 22.9% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $62,894 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.7% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 19.7% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 42.0% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 24.0% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.7% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 29.6 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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