City Comparison

Hampton vs Harrisonburg: How they compare

Hampton is a historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and Hampton University. Harrisonburg is a vibrant college city in the Shenandoah Valley, home to James Madison University. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Harrisonburg is pricier ($300K median vs $255K), a difference of about $45K. Harrisonburg moves faster, with homes averaging 24 days on market compared to 25 in Hampton. Hampton offers a lower entry point at $80K–$650K.

Hampton

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Median Price

$255K

$300K

Avg Days on Market

25 days

24 days

Price Range

$80K–$650K

$150K–$600K

Top Neighborhoods

Phoebus, Buckroe Beach, Fox Hill, Wythe

Downtown, Old Town, Massanetta Springs, Stone Spring

Schools

Hampton has a 65% average SOL pass rate; Harrisonburg has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Hampton include Hampton High School and Phoebus High School; in Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg High School and Thomas Harrison Middle School. See Hampton schools | See Harrisonburg schools

Hampton

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

65%

74%

Public schools

Hampton High School, Phoebus High School, Bethel High School

Harrisonburg High School, Thomas Harrison Middle School, Skyline Middle School

Pass Rate

65%
74%

Commute

Harrisonburg is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Hampton (I-64, I-664, Rt 258), Harrisonburg (I-81, Rt 33, Rt 11).

Hampton

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~25 min

~10 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-64, I-664, Rt 258

I-81, Rt 33, Rt 11, Rt 42

Commuter Rail

None

None

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hampton or Harrisonburg more affordable?

Hampton is more affordable with a median home price of $255K, compared to $300K in Harrisonburg. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Hampton prices range from $80K–$650K. Harrisonburg prices range from $150K–$600K.

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

Hampton public schools have a 65% average SOL pass rate; Harrisonburg has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Hampton include Hampton High School and Phoebus High School; in Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg High School and Thomas Harrison Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Hampton or Harrisonburg?

Harrisonburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Hampton has no direct Metro access. Harrisonburg has no direct Metro access.

How do Hampton and Harrisonburg compare?

Hampton is a historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and Hampton University. Harrisonburg is a vibrant college city in the Shenandoah Valley, home to James Madison University. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

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 June 2026.

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Hampton vs Harrisonburg: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover