Hampton VA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 37.5% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 49.0% | 1.6% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $36,477 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,691 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 14.7% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $438,754 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 355 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3001 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Hampton +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 41.4% | Hampton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.6% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 24.5 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Hampton 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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