Hampton VA vs Syracuse 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 37.5% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 49.0% | 27.6% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $45,845 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $27,570 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.4% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 29.6% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.3% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Syracuse, 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%
Hampton +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 41.5% | Hampton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.8% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.7% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.3% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.1% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hampton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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