Living in Hampton, VA
Hampton is the 212th-largest city in the US, home to about 137,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (97.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 137,315+0.1% since 2020
- Median home value
- $245,7003.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,427/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $69,621median, per year
- Price level
- 97.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 49° / 87°lows 32° / 71°
- Average commute
- 23 min10% work from home
- State income tax
- 5.75%top rate, graduated
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County: Hampton city
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 3 ft
Metro area: Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Cost of living in Hampton
The median home in Hampton is worth $245,700 and the median household earns $69,621 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,427 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area at 97.9, with housing at 99.8 and goods at 96.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $73,500 here. Virginia taxes wages at a top rate of 5.75%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Virginia is 5.77%.
What would my salary be worth in Hampton?
Hampton weather
Average highs run from 49°F in January to 87°F in July, and January nights average 32°F. It gets 48 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 3 inches of snow. Expect about 30 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are April to June and October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Hampton
People and work
The median resident is 36.8 years old, and 28% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 57% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 22 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.8287th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 29%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 57%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,66851.5 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 12.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1974median year
Who moves to Hampton, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Berkeley County, SC, San Diego (San Diego County) and San Antonio (Bexar County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Jacksonville (Duval County), San Antonio (Bexar County) and San Diego (San Diego County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
FEMA rating for Hampton County, scored against every US county.
Home prices
+3.6% in a year
Up 43% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
78% good days
1 day unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Hampton
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Old Dominion University 11 miles
- Tidewater Community College 14 miles
- ECPI University 17 miles
- William & Mary 25 miles
- Norfolk State University 15 miles
- Christopher Newport University 7 miles
- Regent University 19 miles
- Hampton University 2 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Hampton
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport PHF | 9 mi | 68,787 |
| Norfolk International Airport ORF | 14 mi | 2,444,897 |
| Richmond International Airport RIC | 62 mi | 2,456,422 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Hampton
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | 11 mi | 17,514 | $12,913 | 43% |
| ECPI University | 17 mi | 12,090 | $22,484 | n/a |
| Tidewater Community College | 14 mi | 12,082 | $11,681 | 32% |
| William & Mary | 25 mi | 7,055 | $18,880 | 88% |
| Norfolk State University | 15 mi | 5,392 | $12,180 | 35% |
| Regent University | 19 mi | 4,729 | $18,135 | 52% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Hampton
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 24, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 5 and the first frost comes around November 15.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Langley AFB, VA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Hampton.
Wildfire smoke in Hampton
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Hampton on about 120 days a year, including about 19 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Hampton
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 58,057 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Hampton
Downtown Hampton is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton City Public Schools | Pre-K to 12 | 19,472 | 33 | 13.8 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Norfolk City Public Schools (26,807 students), Newport News City Public Schools (25,882 students), York County Public Schools (13,105 students), Portsmouth City Public Schools (12,905 students), Isle of Wight County Public Schools (5,519 students), Poquoson City Public Schools (2,030 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Hampton's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Hampton's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Gastonia, NC78% matchCompare
- Rock Hill, SC77% matchCompare
- Knoxville, TN75% matchCompare
- Mableton, GA75% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Hampton
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Hampton
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.5 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Low natural hazard risk: FEMA rates Hampton County relatively low overall.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Hampton report card from locals
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Hampton through locals' eyes
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Cities near Hampton
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport News, VA | 11 mi | 183,230 | $260,600 | 97.9 | Compare |
| Norfolk, VA | 12 mi | 231,013 | $289,900 | 97.9 | Compare |
| Portsmouth, VA | 15 mi | 96,777 | $246,900 | 97.9 | Compare |
| Suffolk, VA | 17 mi | 104,699 | $347,400 | 97.9 | Compare |
| Chesapeake, VA | 20 mi | 255,332 | $378,400 | 97.9 | Compare |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 25 mi | 453,737 | $382,500 | 97.9 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Hampton ranks 4th of 10 in our best suburbs of Virginia Beach ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Hampton with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Hampton a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes. Compare Hampton side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Hampton?
The Census Bureau estimates Hampton had 137,315 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 137,160 in April 2020 (+0.1%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Hampton?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $73,500 in the Hampton area. The median household here earns $69,621.
When is the best time to visit Hampton?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, April to June and October are the most comfortable months. July averages 87°F and January 49°F for daytime highs.
What county is Hampton in?
Hampton is in Hampton city, Virginia. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Hampton in?
Hampton is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Hampton?
Close to sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Virginia have a state income tax?
Yes. Virginia has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.75% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Hampton. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Langley AFB, VA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.