Hampton VA vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Paterson
N/A
White
Hampton
37.5%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 49.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $527,542 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Hampton +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.1% | Hampton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.6% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 28.6% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.3% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Paterson, NJ | 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 +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Paterson, 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
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $278,048. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Hampton. Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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