Hampton VA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 98,677 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.0 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 37.5% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 49.0% | 29.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Roanoke
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $52,671 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $34,792 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 19.7% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $279,668 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.7% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Roanoke
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Roanoke
1726
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Hampton +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Roanoke
18.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 41.9% | Hampton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.0% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.7% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Hampton. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hampton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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