Hampton VA vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 37.5% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 49.0% | 14.4% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $67,631 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $52,606 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 15.7% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $332,727 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
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, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Hampton. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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