City Comparison

Alexandria vs Chantilly: Which is right for your family?

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Chantilly is pricier ($710K median vs $680K), a difference of about $30K. Alexandria moves faster, with homes averaging 12 days on market compared to 19 in Chantilly. Alexandria offers a lower entry point at $300K–$2M.

Alexandria

VA

Chantilly

VA

Median Price

$680K

$710K

Avg Days on Market

12 days

19 days

Price Range

$300K–$2M

$25K–$2.8M

Top Neighborhoods

Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Potomac Yard

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Schools

Chantilly leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 78% in Alexandria. Top schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary. In Chantilly, families look to Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. See Alexandria schools | See Chantilly schools

Alexandria

VA

Chantilly

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Excellent

Avg Pass Rate

78%

85%

Top Schools

T.C. Williams High School, George Mason Elementary, Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy

Chantilly High School, Rocky Run Middle School, Greenbriar West Elementary

Pass Rate

78%
85%

Commute

Alexandria is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Alexandria has 4 Metro stations, including King St-Old Town on the Blue/Yellow lines. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Major highway access: Alexandria (I-395, I-495, GW Parkway), Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50).

Alexandria

VA

Chantilly

VA

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~40 min

Metro Stations

4 Metro stations (nearest: King St-Old Town)

1 Metro station (nearest: Dulles Airport)

Metro Lines

Blue, Yellow

Silver

Major Highways

I-395, I-495, GW Parkway

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

Property Tax

On a $680K home in Alexandria, you would pay ~$7,548/yr in property tax. In Chantilly, a $710K home costs ~$7,881/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Alexandria

VA

Chantilly

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,548/yr

$7,881/yr

Notes

None

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Alexandria is more walkable with a Walk Score of 57 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 20 in Chantilly. Transit scores: Alexandria (44) vs Chantilly (12). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Old Town and Sully Station score much higher than suburban areas.

Alexandria

VA

Chantilly

VA

Walk Score

57Somewhat Walkable
20Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

44

12

Bike Score

64

22

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Alexandria is rated "Average" (15% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Alexandria

VA

Chantilly

VA

Safety Rating

Average
Very Safe

Violent Crime

1.7/1K

0.6/1K

Property Crime

17.8/1K

8.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

15% above Virginia average

44% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alexandria or Chantilly more affordable?

Alexandria is more affordable with a median home price of $680K, compared to $710K in Chantilly. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Alexandria prices range from $300K–$2M. Chantilly prices range from $25K–$2.8M.

Which has better schools, Alexandria or Chantilly?

Chantilly has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 78% in Alexandria. Top schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary. In Chantilly, standout schools include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Alexandria or Chantilly?

Alexandria has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Alexandria has Metro access (King St-Old Town). Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport).

What are property taxes in Alexandria vs Chantilly?

Alexandria has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,548/yr on a $680K home). Chantilly's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Alexandria or Chantilly better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. 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.