Hampton VA vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 121,944 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.4 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 5.3% | Independence + |
| White | 37.5% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 49.0% | 10.8% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.4% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $59,480 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $31,683 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 15.3% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 20.9% | Hampton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 501 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2418 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.9% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.8% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 25.5 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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