Hampton VA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Hampton
37.5%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 117,460 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 37.5% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 49.0% | 42.2% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $62,789 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $35,740 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $54,550 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 15.5% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $313,219 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 48.5% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Hampton, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
North Charleston
14.3%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.3% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.8% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.3% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 26.8 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 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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