Hampton VA vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Hampton +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Hampton
49.0%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.4 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 37.5% | 31.6% | Hampton + |
| Black | 49.0% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $55,339 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $55,297 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.8% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 22.6% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 50.5% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 643 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2824 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Hampton +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.1% | Hampton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.7% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.5% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Orleans, LA | 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
Hampton +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 24.6 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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