Hampton VA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Hampton +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 28,542 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 42.3 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 37.5% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 49.0% | 3.1% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 4.7% | Hampton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $321,835 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.2% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.7% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.2% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.9% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 26.2 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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