Hampton VA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 37.5% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 49.0% | 7.1% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,837 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 16.2% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $429,253 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 309 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 20.8% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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