Hampton VA vs Surprise AZ — 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%

Surprise, AZ

Arizona · Population: 149,519

  • Median HH Income$93,371
  • Median Home Price$422,520
  • Unemployment4.2%
  • Bachelor's+31.0%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Hampton
137,334
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Surprise
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Surprise
2150

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Surprise
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Surprise
32.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.

Compare More Cities

About Hampton & Surprise