Hampton VA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 115,415 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.9 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 37.5% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 49.0% | 5.3% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $441,257 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.3% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.9% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.4% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 25.7 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while hampton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $278,048. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Hampton. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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