Hampton VA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hampton
137,334
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 37.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 49.0% | 20.4% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.0% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $51,468 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $28,819 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 24.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 48.9% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 20.4% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Hampton +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 66.6°F | Hampton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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