Hampton VA vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Hampton
37.5%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 99,507 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 37.5% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 49.0% | 4.3% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.4% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $64,146 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $33,835 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 24.9% | Hampton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $313,452 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Hampton, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 22.3% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 19.7% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.7% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 68.5°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
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, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
Hampton, VA vs New York, NYHampton, VA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hampton, VAHampton, VA vs Houston, TXHampton, VA vs Phoenix, AZHampton, VA vs Philadelphia, PA