City Comparison

Hampton vs Reston: 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. Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Hampton's median sold price is $290K with homes averaging 45 days on market; Reston is at $591K and 26 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Reston is pricier ($591K median vs $290K), a difference of about $301K. Reston moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 45 in Hampton. Hampton offers a lower entry point at $80K–$650K.

Hampton

VA

Reston

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$290K

$591K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

45 days

26 days

Price Range

$80K–$650K

$250K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Phoebus, Buckroe Beach, Fox Hill, Wythe

Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods

Schools

Hampton has a 65% average SOL pass rate; Reston has 83% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Hampton include Hampton High School and Phoebus High School; in Reston, South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. See Hampton schools | See Reston schools

Hampton

VA

Reston

VA

Avg Pass Rate

65%

83%

Public schools

Hampton High School, Phoebus High School, Bethel High School

South Lakes High School, Langston Hughes Middle School, Terraset Elementary

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 ~30 minutes. Reston has 2 Metro stations, including Reston Town Center on the Silver line. Major highway access: Hampton (I-64, I-664, Rt 258), Reston (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267).

Hampton

VA

Reston

VA

Drive to Downtown

~25 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Reston Town Center)

Metro Lines

N/A

Silver

Major Highways

I-64, I-664, Rt 258

Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267

Commuter Rail

None

None

Reported Crime Data

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

Hampton

VA

Reston

VA

Reported Violent Crime

3.8/1K

0.8/1K

Reported Property Crime

20.2/1K

11.5/1K

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hampton or Reston more affordable?

Hampton is more affordable with a median sold price of $290K, compared to $591K in Reston (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. Hampton prices range from $80K–$650K. Reston prices range from $250K–$1.5M.

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

Hampton public schools have a 65% average SOL pass rate; Reston has 83% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Hampton include Hampton High School and Phoebus High School; in Reston, South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes 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 Reston?

Hampton has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Hampton has no direct Metro access. Reston has Metro access (Reston Town Center).

How do Hampton and Reston compare?

Hampton is a historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and Hampton University. Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. 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.

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