City Comparison

Centreville vs Hampton: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Hampton is a historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and Hampton University. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Centreville is pricier ($600K median vs $255K), a difference of about $345K. Centreville moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 25 in Hampton. Hampton offers a lower entry point at $80K–$650K.

Centreville

VA

Hampton

VA

Median Price

$600K

$255K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

25 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$80K–$650K

Top Neighborhoods

Centre Ridge, Sully Station, Virginia Run, Little Rocky Run

Phoebus, Buckroe Beach, Fox Hill, Wythe

Schools

Centreville leads on school quality with a 84% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 65% in Hampton. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Hampton, families look to Hampton High School and Phoebus High School. See Centreville schools | See Hampton schools

Centreville

VA

Hampton

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Average

Avg Pass Rate

84%

65%

Top Schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

Hampton High School, Phoebus High School, Bethel High School

Pass Rate

84%
65%

Commute

Hampton is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Hampton (I-64, I-664, Rt 258).

Centreville

VA

Hampton

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-64, I-664, Rt 258

Commuter Rail

None

None

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% below Virginia average. Hampton is rated "Below Average" (42% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Centreville

VA

Hampton

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Below Average

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

3.8/1K

Property Crime

9.1/1K

20.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% below Virginia average

42% above Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Hampton more affordable?

Hampton is more affordable with a median home price of $255K, compared to $600K in Centreville. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Centreville prices range from $245K–$3.1M. Hampton prices range from $80K–$650K.

Which has better schools, Centreville or Hampton?

Centreville has stronger schools overall, with a 84% average pass rate compared to 65% in Hampton. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Hampton, standout schools include Hampton High School and Phoebus High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Hampton?

Hampton has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Centreville has no direct Metro access. Hampton has no direct Metro access.

Is Centreville or Hampton better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Hampton is a historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and Hampton University. The best choice depends on your priorities: budget, school quality, commute length, and neighborhood feel. smover can help you find a verified agent in either city who specializes in family-friendly neighborhoods.

Market data verified by smover using real transaction records. 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 March 2026.