Hampton VA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 37.5% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 49.0% | 39.8% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Norfolk
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $64,017 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 17.3% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $310,519 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.7% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Norfolk
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Norfolk
1726
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 24.4 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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Hampton. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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