City Comparison

Hampton vs Herndon: 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. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Herndon is pricier ($710K median vs $255K), a difference of about $455K. Herndon moves faster, with homes averaging 23 days on market compared to 25 in Hampton. Hampton offers a lower entry point at $80K–$650K.

Hampton

VA

Herndon

VA

Median Price

$255K

$710K

Avg Days on Market

25 days

23 days

Price Range

$80K–$650K

$175K–$2.2M

Top Neighborhoods

Phoebus, Buckroe Beach, Fox Hill, Wythe

Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster

Schools

Hampton has a 65% average SOL pass rate; Herndon has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Hampton include Hampton High School and Phoebus High School; in Herndon, Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. See Hampton schools | See Herndon schools

Hampton

VA

Herndon

VA

Avg Pass Rate

65%

80%

Public schools

Hampton High School, Phoebus High School, Bethel High School

Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary

Pass Rate

65%
80%

Commute

Hampton is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Hampton (I-64, I-664, Rt 258), Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28).

Hampton

VA

Herndon

VA

Drive to Downtown

~25 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Herndon)

Metro Lines

N/A

Silver

Major Highways

I-64, I-664, Rt 258

Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

None

None

Safety

Herndon is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 19% 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.

Hampton

VA

Herndon

VA

Safety Rating

Below Average
Safe

Violent Crime

3.8/1K

0.9/1K

Property Crime

20.2/1K

12.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% above Virginia average

19% below Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hampton or Herndon more affordable?

Hampton is more affordable with a median home price of $255K, compared to $710K in Herndon. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Hampton prices range from $80K–$650K. Herndon prices range from $175K–$2.2M.

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

Hampton public schools have a 65% average SOL pass rate; Herndon has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Hampton include Hampton High School and Phoebus High School; in Herndon, Herndon High School and Rachel Carson 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 Herndon?

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

How do Hampton and Herndon compare?

Hampton is a historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and Hampton University. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. 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 Herndon: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover