Hampton city

Virginia · VA

#116 in Virginia
63.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Hampton city, Virginia

Hampton approaches national average

Hampton's 63.2 composite score exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 26%, placing it solidly in the middle-upper range of U.S. counties. The score reflects moderate performance across multiple dimensions.

Below Virginia's state median

Hampton scores 63.2, trailing Virginia's 70.3 state average by 7.1 points, making it a below-average performer within the commonwealth. The city ranks in the lower half of Virginia's jurisdictions.

Moderate taxes and reasonable income

Hampton maintains a 75.1 tax score with a 0.965% effective rate and a 27.6 income score reflecting a median household income of $67,758. These figures provide a stable foundation for working families.

Higher housing costs and tax burden

Hampton's 63.2 cost score and relatively high 0.965% tax rate—the highest among these counties—constrain affordability despite moderate incomes. Housing costs at $1,346/month rent and $234,100 median home value reduce purchasing power.

Fits working families on moderate budgets

Hampton suits military families, working professionals, and established communities seeking an urban-adjacent setting near employment centers. It balances livability with higher urban costs typical of Hampton Roads.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax75.1Cost63.2SafetyComing SoonHealth71.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.6Risk38.3WaterComing Soon
🏛75.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠63.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼27.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
71.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
38.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Hampton city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Hampton city

via TaxByCounty

Hampton city taxes exceed national average significantly

At 0.965%, Hampton's effective tax rate substantially exceeds the national median of 0.80%, ranking it in the top quartile of U.S. taxing jurisdictions. The median property tax of $2,259 is slightly below the national median of $2,690, reflecting moderately valued homes in an otherwise expensive tax environment.

Hampton's taxes rank highest in Virginia

Hampton city leads Virginia's 95 counties and cities with an effective tax rate of 0.965%, significantly exceeding the state average of 0.671%. At $2,259 in median taxes, Hampton residents bear the highest burden relative to their home values compared to statewide peers.

Far costlier than nearby Gloucester County

Hampton city's 0.965% rate towers over Gloucester County's 0.594%—a 62 percentage-point difference that represents the state's sharpest divide. A median home in Hampton ($234,100) pays roughly $540 more annually in taxes than the same property would in Gloucester.

Median home of $234,100 yields $2,259 annual tax

Hampton city homeowners with a median-valued $234,100 property pay approximately $2,259 in yearly property taxes. The burden remains consistent between mortgage holders ($2,273) and outright owners ($2,222).

Challenge your assessment—overages cost hundreds

Hampton's high rates make overassessments especially costly, and successful appeals can recover substantial refunds. Taking 20 minutes to file a property tax appeal could reduce your $2,259 annual bill and align your assessment with actual market value.

Cost of Living in Hampton city

via CostByCounty

Hampton's affordability crisis is real

Hampton City faces the worst housing affordability of any county in this comparison, with a rent-to-income ratio of 23.8%—nearly 5 percentage points above Virginia's state average of 18.6%. A median household income of $67,758 leaves residents struggling to cover $1,346 monthly rents in this urban Tidewater market.

Virginia's housing squeeze in miniature

Hampton ranks in the bottom 5% of Virginia cities and counties for housing affordability, reflecting the toll of coastal Virginia development on working-class incomes. The city's $1,346 median rent is 18% above the state average, while incomes lag the state, creating acute affordability pressure.

Costlier than rural, less wealthy

Hampton's rent of $1,346 exceeds rural Giles ($780) by $566 and rural Grayson ($712) by $634, yet incomes run only $3,000-$25,000 higher than these rural peers. Even compared to Goochland's pricey $1,567 rent, Hampton offers no affordability advantage despite serving a far lower-income population.

Urban costs on suburban wages

Renters dedicate 23.8% of their $67,758 annual income to a $1,346 monthly apartment—the highest burden in this comparison—while homebuyers face $1,350 monthly costs. Housing consumes roughly 40% of household earnings in Hampton, creating severe budget strain.

Hampton workers should explore alternatives

If your job ties you to Hampton, the affordability crisis is real—you'll pay urban prices on suburban wages with the worst ratio in this peer group. Consider relocating to Gloucester County if your employer allows—$202 cheaper rent with far better affordability—or explore remote work to escape coastal Virginia's housing premium.

Income & Jobs in Hampton city

via IncomeByCounty

Hampton near national income average

Hampton's median household income of $67,758 sits 9% below the national median of $74,755, placing it slightly below the American average. Per capita income of $36,787 trails national norms modestly, reflecting middle-class earning capacity. Hampton represents typical American earning power.

Modest performer within Virginia

Hampton's median household income of $67,758 underperforms Virginia's state average of $74,957 by about $7,200, positioning it slightly below the state median. Per capita income of $36,787 falls short of Virginia's $39,155 average, indicating slightly below-average earning potential. Hampton ranks below the middle of Virginia's communities.

Mid-range income among regional counties

Hampton's $67,758 median income falls between the poorer rural counties (Grayson, Halifax) and the affluent suburban peers (Goochland, Gloucester, Greene). As an urban center, Hampton's income profile reflects diverse workforce and employment base. The city represents solid working and middle-class community stability.

Housing costs press significantly higher

Hampton's rent-to-income ratio of 23.8% is notably elevated, meaning nearly one-quarter of household income goes to housing—dangerously close to unaffordable territory. Median home value of $234,100 strains budgets for average earners, particularly for renters and first-time homebuyers. Housing is a major financial challenge for many Hampton households.

Build stability with modest income

Hampton residents should balance establishing emergency savings with gradual retirement contributions, as housing costs consume significant income share. Utilize employer 401(k) matches fully, even with small contributions, to build long-term wealth. Consider first-time homebuyer programs to build equity despite income constraints.

Health in Hampton city

via HealthByCounty

Hampton matches national health norms

At 74.6 years, Hampton City residents live about 3.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.0 years. The 18.3% poor or fair health rate reflects typical urban disadvantages: concentrated poverty, limited preventive care, and chronic disease burden.

Below Virginia's health baseline

Hampton's 74.6-year life expectancy lags Virginia's 75.1-year average by just 0.5 years, positioning it slightly below state norms. The city's urban structure and economic diversity provide some health infrastructure advantages over rural counties.

Urban advantage over rural peers

Hampton (74.6 years) outperforms rural neighbors Grayson (74.6 years, same) and Greensville (71.4), but trails more affluent areas like Goochland (80.2). The city's provider network—387 mental health providers per 100,000—demonstrates urban healthcare concentration.

Urban infrastructure, persistent gaps

Hampton's 6.1% uninsured rate is better than Virginia's 7.9%, but 37 primary care providers per 100,000 residents leave gaps in underserved neighborhoods. The city's strength in mental health (387 providers per 100K) masks disparities in geographic access.

Secure coverage in your neighborhood

Even in a city with strong provider networks, 1 in 16 Hampton residents lack insurance. Visit healthcare.gov or call your city health department to find coverage that connects you to providers close to home.

Disaster Risk in Hampton city

via RiskByCounty

Hampton faces substantial disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 61.74, Hampton city ranks in the "Relatively Low" category but sits dramatically above national averages. This coastal location creates exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly hurricanes and flooding.

Virginia's riskiest jurisdiction in dataset

Hampton's score of 61.74 is 86% higher than Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it the commonwealth's highest-risk location among these counties. Waterfront geography on the Hampton Roads estuary drives this extreme elevation.

Vastly riskier than surrounding counties

Hampton's 61.74 dwarfs all comparison counties, nearly tripling Halifax County's 47.01 and exceeding Gloucester County's 22.61 by nearly 40 points. This city-level coastal concentration creates uniquely elevated hazard exposure.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods converge

Hurricane risk (85.40), tornado risk (56.14), and flood risk (80.40) combine to create Hampton's severe hazard profile—each ranking among Virginia's highest. Earthquake risk (65.04) also exceeds most counties, while wildfire risk (24.27) remains secondary.

Comprehensive multi-hazard protection critical

Hampton residents must obtain flood insurance immediately, reinforce homes against hurricane damage, and develop detailed family evacuation plans for storm season. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood; separate coverage is mandatory for this high-risk coastal community.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.