City Comparison

Alexandria vs Springfield: How they compare

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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; Springfield is at $689K and 23 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Springfield is pricier ($689K median vs $675K), a difference of about $14K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 23 days on market compared to 32 in Alexandria. Alexandria offers a lower entry point at $300K–$2M.

Alexandria

VA

Springfield

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$675K

$689K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

32 days

23 days

Price Range

$300K–$2M

$210K–$1.7M

Notable Neighborhoods

Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Potomac Yard

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Alexandria has a 78% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Alexandria schools | See Springfield schools

Alexandria

VA

Springfield

VA

Avg Pass Rate

78%

82%

Public schools

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

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving 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. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Alexandria (I-395, I-495, GW Parkway), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Alexandria

VA

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

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

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

Blue, Yellow

Blue

Major Highways

I-395, I-495, GW Parkway

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

Property Tax

On a $675K home in Alexandria, you would pay ~$7,493/yr in property tax. In Springfield, a $689K home costs ~$7,648/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Alexandria

VA

Springfield

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,493/yr

$7,648/yr

Notes

None

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Alexandria is more walkable with a Walk Score of 57 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 32 in Springfield. Transit scores: Alexandria (44) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Old Town and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Alexandria

VA

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

57Somewhat Walkable
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

44

28

Bike Score

64

38

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Alexandria and Springfield. 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

Springfield

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.7/1K

0.7/1K

Reported Property Crime

17.8/1K

10.1/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alexandria or Springfield more affordable?

Alexandria is more affordable with a median sold price of $675K, compared to $689K in Springfield (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. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

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

Alexandria public schools have a 78% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee 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 Springfield?

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

What are property taxes in Alexandria vs Springfield?

Alexandria has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,493/yr on a $675K home). Springfield's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,648/yr on a $689K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Alexandria and Springfield compare?

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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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