City Comparison

Gaithersburg vs Hampton: How they compare

Gaithersburg is a diverse city along the I-270 corridor in Montgomery 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 details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Gaithersburg's median sold price is $515K with homes averaging 34 days on market; Hampton is at $290K and 45 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Gaithersburg is pricier ($515K median vs $290K), a difference of about $225K. Gaithersburg moves faster, with homes averaging 34 days on market compared to 45 in Hampton. Hampton offers a lower entry point at $80K–$650K.

Gaithersburg

MD

Hampton

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$515K

$290K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

34 days

45 days

Price Range

$175K–$1.2M

$80K–$650K

Notable Neighborhoods

Kentlands, Lakelands, Quince Orchard, Washington Square

Phoebus, Buckroe Beach, Fox Hill, Wythe

Schools

Gaithersburg has a 76% average SOL pass rate; Hampton has 65% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Gaithersburg include Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg High School; in Hampton, Hampton High School and Phoebus High School. See Gaithersburg schools | See Hampton schools

Gaithersburg

MD

Hampton

VA

Avg Pass Rate

76%

65%

Public schools

Quince Orchard High School, Gaithersburg High School, Ridgeview 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

Hampton is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Gaithersburg has 1 Metro station, including Shady Grove on the Red line. Major highway access: Gaithersburg (I-270, I-370, Rt 355), Hampton (I-64, I-664, Rt 258).

Gaithersburg

MD

Hampton

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Shady Grove)

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Red

N/A

Major Highways

I-270, I-370, Rt 355, Rt 28

I-64, I-664, Rt 258

Commuter Rail

MARC (Brunswick Line)

None

Reported Crime Data

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

Gaithersburg

MD

Hampton

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.3/1K

3.8/1K

Reported Property Crime

15.1/1K

20.2/1K

MD

Search homes in Gaithersburg

See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.

View homes

VA

Search homes in Hampton

See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.

View homes

Decided between Gaithersburg and Hampton? See how buying a home works on smover.

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gaithersburg or Hampton more affordable?

Hampton is more affordable with a median sold price of $290K, compared to $515K in Gaithersburg (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. Gaithersburg prices range from $175K–$1.2M. Hampton prices range from $80K–$650K.

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

Gaithersburg public schools have a 76% average SOL pass rate; Hampton has 65% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Gaithersburg include Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg 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, Gaithersburg or Hampton?

Hampton has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Gaithersburg has Metro access (Shady Grove). Hampton has no direct Metro access.

How do Gaithersburg and Hampton compare?

Gaithersburg is a diverse city along the I-270 corridor in Montgomery 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 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.

Stay ahead of the market

Join buyers, sellers, and agents across Northern Virginia getting weekly market updates, new listings, and tips. Free, every Monday.

Trusted in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and 19 more cities

Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.

Take ownership of your move.

Search, save, choose your people, and organize the dates, documents, and updates that follow.