City Comparison

Hampton vs Vienna: Which is right for your family?

Hampton is a historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and Hampton University. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Vienna is pricier ($960K median vs $255K), a difference of about $705K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 12 days on market compared to 25 in Hampton. Hampton offers a lower entry point at $80K–$650K.

Hampton

VA

Vienna

VA

Median Price

$255K

$960K

Avg Days on Market

25 days

12 days

Price Range

$80K–$650K

$500K–$2.5M

Top Neighborhoods

Phoebus, Buckroe Beach, Fox Hill, Wythe

Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights

Schools

Vienna leads on school quality with a 92% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 65% in Hampton. Top schools in Hampton include Hampton High School and Phoebus High School. In Vienna, families look to James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Hampton schools | See Vienna schools

Hampton

VA

Vienna

VA

Quality Tier

Average

Excellent

Avg Pass Rate

65%

92%

Top Schools

Hampton High School, Phoebus High School, Bethel High School

James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary

Pass Rate

65%
92%

Commute

Vienna is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Hampton (I-64, I-664, Rt 258), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).

Hampton

VA

Vienna

VA

Drive to Downtown

~25 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

N/A

Orange

Major Highways

I-64, I-664, Rt 258

I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

None

None

Safety

Vienna is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 55% 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

Vienna

VA

Safety Rating

Below Average
Very Safe

Violent Crime

3.8/1K

0.4/1K

Property Crime

20.2/1K

7.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% above Virginia average

55% below Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hampton or Vienna more affordable?

Hampton is more affordable with a median home price of $255K, compared to $960K in Vienna. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Hampton prices range from $80K–$650K. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.

Which has better schools, Hampton or Vienna?

Vienna has stronger schools overall, with a 92% average pass rate compared to 65% in Hampton. Top schools in Hampton include Hampton High School and Phoebus High School. In Vienna, standout schools include James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Hampton or Vienna?

Vienna has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Hampton has no direct Metro access. Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

Is Hampton or Vienna better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Hampton is a historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, home to Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and Hampton University. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. 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.