Hampton VA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.3 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 37.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 49.0% | 10.5% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $496,966 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 383 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3409 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.7% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.8% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 31.1 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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