City Comparison

Alexandria vs Williamsburg: How they compare

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. 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; Williamsburg is at $510K and 46 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Alexandria is pricier ($675K median vs $510K), a difference of about $165K. Alexandria moves faster, with homes averaging 32 days on market compared to 46 in Williamsburg. Williamsburg offers a lower entry point at $150K–$1.5M.

Alexandria

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$675K

$510K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

32 days

46 days

Price Range

$300K–$2M

$150K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Potomac Yard

Colonial Williamsburg, Kingsmill, New Town, Ford's Colony

Schools

Alexandria has a 78% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill High School. See Alexandria schools | See Williamsburg schools

Alexandria

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

78%

84%

Public schools

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

Lafayette High School, Warhill High School, Berkeley 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 ~25 minutes. Alexandria has 4 Metro stations, including King St-Old Town on the Blue/Yellow lines. Major highway access: Alexandria (I-395, I-495, GW Parkway), Williamsburg (I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199).

Alexandria

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

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

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Blue, Yellow

N/A

Major Highways

I-395, I-495, GW Parkway

I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

Walkability

Alexandria is more walkable with a Walk Score of 57 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 35 in Williamsburg. Transit scores: Alexandria (44) vs Williamsburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Old Town and Colonial Williamsburg score much higher than suburban areas.

Alexandria

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Walk Score

57Somewhat Walkable
35Car-Dependent

Transit Score

44

10

Bike Score

64

42

Reported Crime Data

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

Williamsburg

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.7/1K

1.2/1K

Reported Property Crime

17.8/1K

15.2/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alexandria or Williamsburg more affordable?

Williamsburg is more affordable with a median sold price of $510K, 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. Williamsburg prices range from $150K–$1.5M.

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

Alexandria public schools have a 78% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill 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 Williamsburg?

Alexandria has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Alexandria has Metro access (King St-Old Town). Williamsburg has no direct Metro access.

How do Alexandria and Williamsburg compare?

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. 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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