Hampton vs Newport News vs Yorktown | Connor Henderson

Hampton vs. Newport News vs. Yorktown: Home Prices, Costs, and Location Compared

By Connor Henderson, REALTOR® | CENTURY 21 Nachman Realty

Hampton, Newport News, and Yorktown share the Virginia Peninsula, but buying in each is a different experience. From January through September 2026, the median sale price of a home was $300,000 in Hampton, $310,000 in Newport News, and $475,000 in York County, which includes Yorktown, according to REIN. Taxes, flood rules, and location vary by locality and by property.

 

1. How do home prices and housing types compare?

• Median sale price (Jan–Sep 2026): Hampton, $300,000; Newport News, $310,000; York County, $475,000
• Change from Jan–Sep 2025: Hampton, +5.3%; Newport News, +4.9%; York County, +1.9%
• Homes sold (Jan–Sep 2026): Hampton, 1,507; Newport News, 1,560; York County, 715
• Average days from listing to contract: Hampton, 39; Newport News, 38; York County, 33
• Active listings (Oct. 2, 2026): Hampton, 427; Newport News, 504; York County, 221
• Condo share of sales: Hampton, 8%; Newport News, 12%; York County, 8%
• New construction share of sales: Hampton, 5%; Newport News, 3%; York County, 13%

Source: REIN, Inc. Settled detached and attached residential sales (including condos and new construction), January through September 2026; active residential listings as of October 2, 2026. Condo and new construction shares are calculated as a percentage of detached and attached sales. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Statistics are based on REIN member listings and may not represent all sales.

Hampton and Newport News had similar median prices in 2026, about $10,000 apart, while York County’s median was roughly $165,000 to $175,000 higher. The number of homes sold was up from the same period in 2025 in all three, and the average time from listing to contract was 39 days in Hampton, 38 in Newport News, and 33 in York County, compared with 37, 35, and 27 a year earlier. Active listings also rose year over year: by 12% in Hampton, 24% in Newport News, and 25% in York County.

York County had the largest share of new construction sales of the three, and Newport News had the largest share of condo sales.

 

2. What does it cost to own a home beyond the price?

The listing price is only part of the monthly cost. Real estate taxes are set by each locality, and the same rate produces very different bills at different price points:

• Hampton: $1.14 per $100 of assessed value. At the $300,000 median sale price, that’s about $3,420 per year.
• Newport News: $1.18 per $100 of assessed value. At the $310,000 median sale price, that’s about $3,658 per year.
• York County: $0.78 per $100 of assessed value. At the $475,000 median sale price, that’s about $3,705 per year.

Rates are for Hampton and Newport News fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) and York County calendar year 2026. Estimates assume the assessed value equals the sale price, which isn’t always the case.

York County has the lowest rate, but because the median price there is higher, the estimated tax on a median-priced home comes out close to Newport News’s and slightly above Hampton’s. That’s why comparing rates alone can mislead.

Keep in mind:

• Assessed value is not the sale price. Localities assess on their own schedules, so check the assessment and tax history of the actual home.
• Insurance and fees are on top. Flood insurance (if required), homeowners insurance, and trash, sewer, and utility fees all vary by property and locality.

 

3. Does flood risk differ by city?

Flood risk is a property-by-property question. Two homes a few blocks apart can sit in different flood zones, which changes insurance requirements and cost.

Before you make an offer, look up the address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov), ask an insurance agent for a flood quote early, and ask your lender whether flood insurance is required. Standard homeowners policies don’t cover flood damage.

 

4. How do location and commute compare?

Where you work often matters more than which city you choose. Hampton is home to Joint Base Langley-Eustis and NASA Langley Research Center, and Newport News is anchored by Newport News Shipbuilding. Fort Eustis is in Newport News, and Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and the Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown are in York County.

For trips across the water, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel is a factor. Whatever your destination, drive the route at the hours you’d actually travel before you commit.

 

5. What is there to do in each area?

Hampton

• Fort Monroe National Monument, the Virginia Air & Space Science Center, and Buckroe Beach and Park
• Two public beaches, Buckroe and Grandview, and the Air & Space Center’s IMAX theater
• Peninsula Town Center and Hampton Coliseum

Newport News

• 36 city parks, including Newport News Park, one of the largest city parks in the country, and The Mariners’ Museum, one of the world’s largest maritime history museums
• The Virginia Living Museum, and City Center at Oyster Point for dining and entertainment
• Port Warwick, a second major shopping and dining area

Yorktown (York County)

• A mile-long Riverwalk with a summer concert series and weekly farmers’ market, public beaches, and a watermen’s museum
• Yorktown Battlefield, run by the National Park Service, and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
• A 23-mile Colonial Parkway connecting Yorktown to Williamsburg and Jamestown

 

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheapest to buy in?

From January through September 2026, Hampton had the lowest median sale price at $300,000, followed by Newport News at $310,000 and York County at $475,000.

Which has the lowest real estate tax rate?

York County, at $0.78 per $100 of assessed value. On a median-priced home, though, Hampton’s estimated annual tax is the lowest of the three. Your actual bill depends on the home’s assessed value.

Are there more homes for sale than last year?

As of October 2, 2026, active residential listings were up from a year earlier in all three: 427 in Hampton (up 12%), 504 in Newport News (up 24%), and 221 in York County (up 25%).

Is Yorktown its own city?

No. Yorktown is in York County, and the county sets taxes and provides services there.

Do I need flood insurance?

It depends on the property’s flood zone and your lender’s requirements. Check the address before you make an offer.

Can you run the numbers on a specific home?

Yes. Send me an address you’re considering, and I’ll walk you through its assessed value, estimated taxes, and flood zone.

 

Thinking about a move on the Peninsula? Contact me and let’s talk through your options.

Connor Henderson, REALTOR® | CENTURY 21 Nachman Realty

Market data from REIN, Inc. (September 2026 statistical report, published October 2, 2026). Last updated October 20, 2026. Tax rates change with local budgets, so confirm current rates with each locality. This post is for general information and is not tax or legal advice.