City Comparison

Chantilly vs Hampton: Which is right for your family?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. 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

Chantilly is pricier ($710K median vs $255K), a difference of about $455K. Chantilly moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 25 in Hampton. Hampton offers a lower entry point at $80K–$650K.

Chantilly

VA

Hampton

VA

Median Price

$710K

$255K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

25 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$80K–$650K

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Phoebus, Buckroe Beach, Fox Hill, Wythe

Schools

Chantilly leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 65% in Hampton. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Hampton, families look to Hampton High School and Phoebus High School. See Chantilly schools | See Hampton schools

Chantilly

VA

Hampton

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Average

Avg Pass Rate

85%

65%

Top Schools

Chantilly High School, Rocky Run Middle School, Greenbriar West Elementary

Hampton High School, Phoebus High School, Bethel High School

Pass Rate

85%
65%

Commute

Hampton is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Major highway access: Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50), Hampton (I-64, I-664, Rt 258).

Chantilly

VA

Hampton

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Dulles Airport)

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Silver

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50

I-64, I-664, Rt 258

Commuter Rail

None

None

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% 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.

Chantilly

VA

Hampton

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Below Average

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

3.8/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

20.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

42% above Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Hampton more affordable?

Hampton is more affordable with a median home price of $255K, compared to $710K in Chantilly. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chantilly prices range from $25K–$2.8M. Hampton prices range from $80K–$650K.

Which has better schools, Chantilly or Hampton?

Chantilly has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 65% in Hampton. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle 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, Chantilly or Hampton?

Hampton has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Hampton has no direct Metro access.

Is Chantilly or Hampton better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. 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.