Hampton VA vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 82,506 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 48.4 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 37.5% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 49.0% | 8.8% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $60,465 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $36,322 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 26.8% | Hampton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $312,001 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Lakeland
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.4% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.9% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 72.6°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 25.6 min | Hampton + |
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 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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