Hampton VA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Hampton
37.5%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 107,699 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 4.7% | Hampton + |
| White | 37.5% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 49.0% | 42.8% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 5.2% | Hampton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $48,536 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $31,324 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $51,690 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.0% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 23.8% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.1% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 400 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1734 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 42.6% | Hampton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 21.3% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.7% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 65.0°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hampton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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