City Comparison

Alexandria vs Rockville: How they compare

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Alexandria's median sold price is $675K with homes averaging 32 days on market; Rockville is at $647K and 32 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Alexandria is pricier ($675K median vs $647K), a difference of about $28K. Both cities average 32 days on market. Rockville offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1.8M.

Alexandria

VA

Rockville

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$675K

$647K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

32 days

32 days

Price Range

$300K–$2M

$200K–$1.8M

Notable Neighborhoods

Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Potomac Yard

Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove

Schools

Alexandria has a 78% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Alexandria schools | See Rockville schools

Alexandria

VA

Rockville

MD

Avg Pass Rate

78%

85%

Public schools

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

Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Alexandria is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Alexandria has 4 Metro stations, including King St-Old Town on the Blue/Yellow lines. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Major highway access: Alexandria (I-395, I-495, GW Parkway), Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355).

Alexandria

VA

Rockville

MD

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

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

3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)

Metro Lines

Blue, Yellow

Red

Major Highways

I-395, I-495, GW Parkway

I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Property Tax

On a $675K home in Alexandria, you would pay ~$7,493/yr in property tax. In Rockville, a $647K home costs ~$6,393/yr. Rockville has the lower rate at $0.988 per $100 of assessed value.

Alexandria

VA

Rockville

MD

Rate per $100

$1.110

$0.988

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,493/yr

$6,393/yr

Notes

None

Montgomery County rate; City of Rockville adds $0.328

Walkability

Alexandria is more walkable with a Walk Score of 57 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 52 in Rockville. Transit scores: Alexandria (44) vs Rockville (42). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Old Town and Rockville Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.

Alexandria

VA

Rockville

MD

Walk Score

57Somewhat Walkable
52Somewhat Walkable

Transit Score

44

42

Bike Score

64

55

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Alexandria and Rockville. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.

Alexandria

VA

Rockville

MD

Reported Violent Crime

1.7/1K

1.1/1K

Reported Property Crime

17.8/1K

14.2/1K

VA

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MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alexandria or Rockville more affordable?

Rockville is more affordable with a median sold price of $647K, compared to $675K in Alexandria (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Alexandria prices range from $300K–$2M. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Alexandria and Rockville?

Alexandria public schools have a 78% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Alexandria or Rockville?

Alexandria has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Alexandria has Metro access (King St-Old Town). Rockville has Metro access (Rockville).

What are property taxes in Alexandria vs Rockville?

Alexandria has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,493/yr on a $675K home). Rockville's rate is $0.988 per $100 (~$6,393/yr on a $647K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Alexandria and Rockville compare?

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. 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.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. 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.

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