Hampton VA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%

Phoenix, AZ

Arizona · Population: 1,624,832

  • Median HH Income$77,041
  • Median Home Price$411,323
  • Unemployment5.1%
  • Bachelor's+32.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Hampton
137,334
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Phoenix
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Phoenix
2150

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Phoenix
27.7 min

Which City is Right for You?

Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Hampton & Phoenix