City Comparison

Alexandria vs Hampton: How they compare

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Hampton is a historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and Hampton University. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Alexandria's median sold price is $675K with homes averaging 32 days on market; Hampton is at $290K and 45 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Alexandria is pricier ($675K median vs $290K), a difference of about $385K. Alexandria moves faster, with homes averaging 32 days on market compared to 45 in Hampton. Hampton offers a lower entry point at $80K–$650K.

Alexandria

VA

Hampton

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$675K

$290K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

32 days

45 days

Price Range

$300K–$2M

$80K–$650K

Notable Neighborhoods

Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Potomac Yard

Phoebus, Buckroe Beach, Fox Hill, Wythe

Schools

Alexandria has a 78% average SOL pass rate; Hampton has 65% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Hampton, Hampton High School and Phoebus High School. See Alexandria schools | See Hampton schools

Alexandria

VA

Hampton

VA

Avg Pass Rate

78%

65%

Public schools

T.C. Williams High School, George Mason Elementary, Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy

Hampton High School, Phoebus High School, Bethel High School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Alexandria is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Alexandria has 4 Metro stations, including King St-Old Town on the Blue/Yellow lines. Major highway access: Alexandria (I-395, I-495, GW Parkway), Hampton (I-64, I-664, Rt 258).

Alexandria

VA

Hampton

VA

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

4 Metro stations (nearest: King St-Old Town)

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Blue, Yellow

N/A

Major Highways

I-395, I-495, GW Parkway

I-64, I-664, Rt 258

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Alexandria and Hampton. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.

Alexandria

VA

Hampton

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.7/1K

3.8/1K

Reported Property Crime

17.8/1K

20.2/1K

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alexandria or Hampton more affordable?

Hampton is more affordable with a median sold price of $290K, compared to $675K in Alexandria (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Alexandria prices range from $300K–$2M. Hampton prices range from $80K–$650K.

What are the public-school pass rates in Alexandria and Hampton?

Alexandria public schools have a 78% average SOL pass rate; Hampton has 65% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Hampton, Hampton High School and Phoebus High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Alexandria or Hampton?

Alexandria has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Alexandria has Metro access (King St-Old Town). Hampton has no direct Metro access.

How do Alexandria and Hampton compare?

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Hampton is a historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and Hampton University. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. School data from Virginia DOE, Maryland MSDE, and DC OSSE public reports. Property tax rates from Virginia Dept. of Taxation (2024). Walkability scores from Walk Score (2024). Crime data from FBI UCR and Virginia State Police (2023). Commute times are approximate rush-hour estimates. Updated September 2026.

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