Hampton VA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 133,473 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.5 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 37.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 49.0% | 6.6% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 2.4% | Hampton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,052 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $309,742 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 471 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.4% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 27.5 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, 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 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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