Hampton VA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Hampton +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 37.5% | 16.5% | Hampton + |
| Black | 49.0% | 46.7% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.9% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $48,416 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $25,509 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 10.9% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 24.7% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 17.4% | Hampton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $482,675 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 24.1% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.0% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 23.4% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.3% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.2% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Hampton. 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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