Market Overview
Williamsburg is pricier ($370K median vs $250K), a difference of about $120K. Both cities average 28 days on market. Portsmouth offers a lower entry point at $75K–$550K.
Portsmouth
VA
Williamsburg
VA
Median Price
$250K
$370K
Avg Days on Market
28 days
28 days
Price Range
$75K–$550K
$150K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Olde Towne, Churchland, Western Branch, Port Norfolk
Colonial Williamsburg, Kingsmill, New Town, Ford's Colony
Schools
Portsmouth has a 60% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Portsmouth include Churchland High School and I.C. Norcom High School; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill High School. See Portsmouth schools | See Williamsburg schools
Portsmouth
VA
Williamsburg
VA
Avg Pass Rate
60%
84%
Public schools
Churchland High School, I.C. Norcom High School, Cradock Middle School
Lafayette High School, Warhill High School, Berkeley Middle School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Portsmouth is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Portsmouth (I-264, I-664, Rt 17), Williamsburg (I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199).
Portsmouth
VA
Williamsburg
VA
Drive to Downtown
~10 min
~25 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
No Metro access
Metro Lines
N/A
N/A
Major Highways
I-264, I-664, Rt 17, Rt 58
I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199
Commuter Rail
None
None
VA
Search homes in Portsmouth
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesVA
Search homes in Williamsburg
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesDecided between Portsmouth and Williamsburg? See how buying a home works on smover.
Related Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portsmouth or Williamsburg more affordable?
Portsmouth is more affordable with a median home price of $250K, compared to $370K in Williamsburg. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Portsmouth prices range from $75K–$550K. Williamsburg prices range from $150K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Portsmouth and Williamsburg?
Portsmouth public schools have a 60% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Portsmouth include Churchland High School and I.C. Norcom High School; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Portsmouth or Williamsburg?
Portsmouth has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Portsmouth has no direct Metro access. Williamsburg has no direct Metro access.
How do Portsmouth and Williamsburg compare?
Portsmouth is a waterfront city across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk, with a rich naval heritage and a revitalizing downtown. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. 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.
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 September 2026.