Hampton VA vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Hampton +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Hampton
37.5%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Hampton +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 79,255 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 4.6% | Hampton + |
| White | 37.5% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 49.0% | 27.7% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 5.0% | Hampton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Lynchburg
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $59,808 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $30,004 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 17.4% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.1% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Lynchburg
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Lynchburg
1726
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.8% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Hampton. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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