Norfolk vs Portsmouth vs Hampton vs Poquoson: taxes, schools

Last checked Oct. 20, 2026. Sources: Norfolk’s Adopted FY 2027 Budget overview (PDF), Portsmouth’s fiscal 2027 tax hearing notice (PDF), Hampton’s budget adoption notice, Poquoson’s FY 2027 adopted budget (PDF), the state’s School Quality Profiles, Zillow Research and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2019-2023 five-year estimates.

Portsmouth, Hampton and Poquoson are the three nearest cities to Norfolk’s center by the Census Bureau’s internal points: Portsmouth about 8 miles away across the Elizabeth River, Hampton about 9 miles across Hampton Roads, and Poquoson about 15 miles. Virginia Beach and Chesapeake share borders with Norfolk, but their internal points are farther away.

All four are independent cities. None is in a county, so there is no county tax, county police or county school system. Each city sets one real estate rate, runs its own school division and provides its own police, fire and trash service. The city line decides which taxes, schools and services apply.

What this means for you

• Taxes: Hampton and Poquoson have the lowest real estate rates of the four, $1.14 and $1.15 per $100; Norfolk is $1.23 and Portsmouth $1.24.
• Home values: Poquoson’s typical value, about $460,000, is far above the other three, which range from about $267,000 to $311,000.
• Schools: on-time graduation for each division’s latest cohort ranged from 84% in Norfolk to 99% in Hampton.

Part of our Norfolk neighborhoods guide.

Real estate tax rates

Hampton’s council kept its rate at $1.14 “after four consecutive years of reductions that lowered the rate from $1.22,” the city said May 14, 2026. Poquoson’s adopted budget raised its rate by 1 cent, to $1.15. Norfolk left its rate unchanged from fiscal 2026, and Portsmouth’s notice says its budget “maintains the FY 2026 real property tax rate of $1.24.”

Because each city is its own taxing body, these are the only real estate rates a homeowner pays, apart from special districts such as Norfolk’s Downtown Improvement District. On a home assessed at $300,000, the general rate would mean a yearly bill of about $3,690 in Norfolk, $3,720 in Portsmouth, $3,420 in Hampton and $3,450 in Poquoson. Each city sets its own assessments, so the same house would not carry the same assessed value in each.

Tax relief: Norfolk’s Department of Human Services takes applications for real estate tax relief for qualifying seniors, people with disabilities and veterans, 757-823-1130; see our property taxes guide.

Chart: tax rates

Home values

Source: Zillow’s city home value file from Zillow Research. The Zillow Home Value Index is a modeled typical value for the middle third of homes, not a sale price. More in our home prices guide.

Chart: home values

Schools

Each city runs its own school division. The graduation rate is the four-year on-time rate for the latest cohort on each division’s state profile. High school ratings are the state’s 2025-26 School Performance and Support Framework level and score; every high school listed was fully accredited.

Norfolk is closing and consolidating several schools through 2034; see our schools guide and the neighborhoods guide for 2026-27 zones.

People, income and commutes

From the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2019-2023 five-year estimates, the same vintage for all four cities.

The Census median home value is what owners estimate their homes are worth, so it runs below Zillow’s current index. See also our population guide.

Who provides city services

For Norfolk pickup days, see our trash and recycling guide.

How to check an address

• Which city a parcel is in, and its assessed value: in Norfolk, the city’s property search and Real Estate Assessor; in Portsmouth, the city assessor; in Hampton and Poquoson, the assessor or commissioner of the revenue on the Hampton or Poquoson city site.
• The zoned school: in Norfolk, the division’s Find My School tool; elsewhere, that city’s school division.
• The tax: multiply the assessed value by the rate and divide by 100. A Norfolk home assessed at $300,000 owes $3,690 a year at $1.23, before any relief. Check a Norfolk bill with the Treasurer.

Distances use the Census Bureau’s internal point for each city. Rates and figures were checked on the official pages linked above on Oct. 20, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Are property taxes lower in Norfolk or Hampton?

Hampton’s real estate rate for fiscal 2027 is $1.14 per $100 of assessed value, and Norfolk’s is $1.23. Poquoson’s is $1.15 and Portsmouth’s $1.24.

Is Norfolk more expensive than Portsmouth?

Zillow’s typical home value in September 2026 was $310,673 in Norfolk and $266,504 in Portsmouth. Hampton was $279,178 and Poquoson $460,100. The index is a modeled value, not a sale price.

Which has the higher graduation rate, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton or Poquoson?

On the state’s School Quality Profiles, Hampton City Public Schools had a four-year on-time graduation rate of 99% for its latest cohort, Poquoson 96%, Portsmouth 88% and Norfolk 84%.

Do Norfolk residents pay county taxes?

No. Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton and Poquoson are all independent cities, so none is in a county. Each sets one real estate rate and runs its own school division, police and fire service.