Hampton VA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 125,273 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.3 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 37.5% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 49.0% | 19.3% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.1% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $67,521 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $34,474 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 22.6% | Hampton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $304,173 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Palm Bay
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.2% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.4% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.5% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 29.6 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 324 in Palm Bay. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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