Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hampton, VA
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 Hampton leads 14 of 23 categories
Hampton
Virginia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,430
Violent Crime Index
65 ✓ Safer
Population
137,217
Modesto
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hampton, VA
Pros
Homes cost $162k less ($219,800 vs $381,800)
62% less violent crime than Modesto
Violent crime is well below the national average (247.6 vs 380/100k)
Rent averages $242/mo less ($1,255 vs $1,497)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (6.5%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Modesto by $8,945/yr
Property crime (2882.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Modesto, CA
Pros
Households earn $8,945 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 49°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 6.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Hampton
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Hampton
Violent Crime
62% lower
247.6 vs 655.7 per 100k
Hampton
Median Home Value
$162k less
$219,800 vs $381,800
Hampton
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
6.5% vs 7.8% unemployment
Modesto
Median Income
$8,945
$73,375 vs $64,430/yr
Modesto
Summer Heat
7.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 87.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $219,800 ✓ Lower | $381,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,255 ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,430 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 94 ✓ Safer | 150⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 137⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.7% ✓ Higher | 19.7% |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hampton City Public Schools | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 49.0°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 87.3°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.8" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 137,217 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.5 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.3% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.9% ✓ More | 13.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hampton's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Hampton is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Hampton leads 14 of 23 categories. Hampton wins 14 and Modesto wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Hampton to Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($219,800 vs $381,800 median home), income ($64,430 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hampton, VA and Modesto, CA are about 2,432 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.