Hampton VA vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Hampton +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 37.5% | 25.0% | Hampton + |
| Black | 49.0% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.7% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $51,211 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $32,314 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,097 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.3% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 22.5% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.0% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 639 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2350 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Hampton +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Hampton +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 42.1% | Hampton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.6% | Hampton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.7% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.9% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.5% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.9% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hampton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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