City Comparison

Arlington vs Hampton: How they compare

Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. 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

Arlington's median sold price is $727K with homes averaging 38 days on market; Hampton is at $290K and 45 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Arlington is pricier ($727K median vs $290K), a difference of about $437K. Arlington moves faster, with homes averaging 38 days on market compared to 45 in Hampton. Hampton offers a lower entry point at $80K–$650K.

Arlington

VA

Hampton

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$727K

$290K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

38 days

45 days

Price Range

$350K–$2.5M

$80K–$650K

Notable Neighborhoods

Ballston, Clarendon, Crystal City, Pentagon City

Phoebus, Buckroe Beach, Fox Hill, Wythe

Schools

Arlington has a 89% average SOL pass rate; Hampton has 65% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Hampton, Hampton High School and Phoebus High School. See Arlington schools | See Hampton schools

Arlington

VA

Hampton

VA

Avg Pass Rate

89%

65%

Public schools

Yorktown High School, Washington-Liberty High School, Williamsburg Middle School

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

Arlington is closer to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Arlington has 6 Metro stations, including Rosslyn on the Orange/Silver/Blue/Yellow lines. Major highway access: Arlington (I-66, I-395, Rt 50), Hampton (I-64, I-664, Rt 258).

Arlington

VA

Hampton

VA

Drive to Downtown

~15 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

6 Metro stations (nearest: Rosslyn)

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, I-395, Rt 50

I-64, I-664, Rt 258

Commuter Rail

None

None

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Arlington 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.

Arlington

VA

Hampton

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.4/1K

3.8/1K

Reported Property Crime

15.2/1K

20.2/1K

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlington or Hampton more affordable?

Hampton is more affordable with a median sold price of $290K, compared to $727K in Arlington (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. Arlington prices range from $350K–$2.5M. Hampton prices range from $80K–$650K.

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

Arlington public schools have a 89% average SOL pass rate; Hampton has 65% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; 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, Arlington or Hampton?

Arlington has the shorter commute to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Arlington has Metro access (Rosslyn). Hampton has no direct Metro access.

How do Arlington and Hampton compare?

Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. 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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