Hampton VA vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Hampton +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Hampton
37.5%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Hampton +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.7 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 3.8% | Hampton + |
| White | 37.5% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 49.0% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.1% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 3.1% | Hampton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $51,090 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $32,893 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $51,690 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 18.9% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.4% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 400 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1734 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Hampton +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Mobile
13.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.0% | Hampton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.2% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.9% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 67.4°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 24.5 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
Compare More Cities
Hampton, VA vs New York, NYHampton, VA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hampton, VAHampton, VA vs Houston, TXHampton, VA vs Phoenix, AZHampton, VA vs Philadelphia, PA