Hampton VA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Hampton +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 37.5% | 36.1% | Hampton + |
| Black | 49.0% | 39.9% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $60,698 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,080 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.4% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 22.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.3% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 319 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 34.5 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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