Hampton VA vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Hampton +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 37.5% | 35.5% | Hampton + |
| Black | 49.0% | 21.4% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $29,766 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.1% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 15.5% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 20.1% | Hampton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $466,147 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.3% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.9% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.8% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 62.1°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 33.0 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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