Hampton VA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Hampton
37.5%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 100,731 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.0 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 37.5% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 49.0% | 6.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.5% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $56,025 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $30,475 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.6% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 19.9% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 16.8% | Hampton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $439,767 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 40.0% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 22.0% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.1% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.0% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 21.4% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 27.2 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, 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 326 in New Bedford. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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