Hampton VA vs Kent WA — 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%

Kent, WA

Washington · Population: 84,389

  • Median HH Income$72,867
  • Median Home Price$657,911
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+27.0%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Kent
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
Kent
27.0%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Kent
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Kent
39.1 in

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +

Which City is Right for You?

Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Hampton & Kent