City Comparison

Alexandria vs Vienna: How they compare

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Vienna offers a small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity, the W&OD Trail, downtown shops, and address-based Fairfax County Public Schools assignments. 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; Vienna is at $1.1M and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Vienna is pricier ($1.1M median vs $675K), a difference of about $448K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 31 days on market compared to 32 in Alexandria. Alexandria offers a lower entry point at $300K–$2M.

Alexandria

VA

Vienna

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$675K

$1.1M

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

32 days

31 days

Price Range

$300K–$2M

$500K–$2.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Potomac Yard

Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights

Schools

Alexandria has a 78% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Alexandria schools | See Vienna schools

Alexandria

VA

Vienna

VA

Avg Pass Rate

78%

92%

Public schools

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

James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary

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 ~25 minutes. Alexandria has 4 Metro stations, including King St-Old Town on the Blue/Yellow lines. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Alexandria (I-395, I-495, GW Parkway), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).

Alexandria

VA

Vienna

VA

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

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

1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

Blue, Yellow

Orange

Major Highways

I-395, I-495, GW Parkway

I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

Property Tax

On a $675K home in Alexandria, you would pay ~$7,493/yr in property tax. In Vienna, a $1.1M home costs ~$12,460/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Alexandria

VA

Vienna

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,493/yr

$12,460/yr

Notes

None

Fairfax County rate; Town of Vienna adds $0.2275

Walkability

Alexandria is more walkable with a Walk Score of 57 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 42 in Vienna. Transit scores: Alexandria (44) vs Vienna (30). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Old Town and Downtown Vienna score much higher than suburban areas.

Alexandria

VA

Vienna

VA

Walk Score

57Somewhat Walkable
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

44

30

Bike Score

64

48

Reported Crime Data

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

Vienna

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.7/1K

0.4/1K

Reported Property Crime

17.8/1K

7.2/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alexandria or Vienna more affordable?

Alexandria is more affordable with a median sold price of $675K, compared to $1.1M in Vienna (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. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.

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

Alexandria public schools have a 78% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Alexandria or Vienna?

Alexandria has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Alexandria has Metro access (King St-Old Town). Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

What are property taxes in Alexandria vs Vienna?

Alexandria has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,493/yr on a $675K home). Vienna's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$12,460/yr on a $1.1M home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Alexandria and Vienna compare?

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Vienna offers a small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity, the W&OD Trail, downtown shops, and address-based Fairfax County Public Schools assignments. 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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