Hampton VA vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 121,537 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.1 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 37.5% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 49.0% | 28.6% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.1% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $61,454 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $55,297 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 19.1% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.0% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 643 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2824 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Lafayette
18.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.8% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.1% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 67.6°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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