Hampton VA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.2 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 37.5% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 49.0% | 4.4% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $435,670 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 71.8°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 26.7 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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