City Comparison

Annapolis vs Ashburn: How they compare

Annapolis is Maryland's capital and the home of the U. Ashburn is one of Loudoun County's fastest-growing communities. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Ashburn is pricier ($620K median vs $510K), a difference of about $110K. Ashburn moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 25 in Annapolis. Annapolis offers a lower entry point at $200K–$3M+.

Annapolis

MD

Ashburn

VA

Median Price

$510K

$620K

Avg Days on Market

25 days

16 days

Price Range

$200K–$3M+

$350K–$1.2M

Top Neighborhoods

Downtown Annapolis, Eastport, West Annapolis, Parole

Broadlands, Brambleton, Lansdowne, One Loudoun

Schools

Annapolis has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Ashburn has 89% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Annapolis include Annapolis High School and Broadneck High School; in Ashburn, Briar Woods High School and Stone Bridge High School. See Annapolis schools | See Ashburn schools

Annapolis

MD

Ashburn

VA

Avg Pass Rate

80%

89%

Public schools

Annapolis High School, Broadneck High School, Annapolis Middle School

Briar Woods High School, Stone Bridge High School, Eagle Ridge Middle School

Pass Rate

80%
89%

Commute

Ashburn is closer to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Ashburn has 2 Metro stations, including Ashburn on the Silver line. Major highway access: Annapolis (Rt 50, Rt 2, I-97), Ashburn (Rt 7, Rt 28, Dulles Greenway).

Annapolis

MD

Ashburn

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~45 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Ashburn)

Metro Lines

N/A

Silver

Major Highways

Rt 50, Rt 2, I-97

Rt 7, Rt 28, Dulles Greenway

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $510K home in Annapolis, you would pay ~$4,769/yr in property tax. In Ashburn, a $620K home costs ~$5,394/yr. Ashburn has the lower rate at $0.870 per $100 of assessed value.

Annapolis

MD

Ashburn

VA

Rate per $100

$0.935

$0.870

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$4,769/yr

$5,394/yr

Notes

Anne Arundel County rate; City of Annapolis adds $0.738

Loudoun County rate

Walkability

Annapolis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45 (Car-Dependent), compared to 28 in Ashburn. Transit scores: Annapolis (18) vs Ashburn (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Annapolis and Broadlands score much higher than suburban areas.

Annapolis

MD

Ashburn

VA

Walk Score

45Car-Dependent
28Car-Dependent

Transit Score

18

22

Bike Score

52

35

Safety

Ashburn is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 57% below Virginia average. Annapolis is rated "Below Average" (34% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Annapolis

MD

Ashburn

VA

Safety Rating

Below Average
Very Safe

Violent Crime

2.2/1K

0.4/1K

Property Crime

20.5/1K

6.9/1K

vs Virginia Avg

34% above Virginia average

57% below Virginia average

MD

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VA

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Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Annapolis or Ashburn more affordable?

Annapolis is more affordable with a median home price of $510K, compared to $620K in Ashburn. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Annapolis prices range from $200K–$3M+. Ashburn prices range from $350K–$1.2M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Annapolis and Ashburn?

Annapolis public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Ashburn has 89% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Annapolis include Annapolis High School and Broadneck High School; in Ashburn, Briar Woods High School and Stone Bridge High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Annapolis or Ashburn?

Ashburn has the shorter commute to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Annapolis has no direct Metro access. Ashburn has Metro access (Ashburn).

What are property taxes in Annapolis vs Ashburn?

Annapolis has a property tax rate of $0.935 per $100 (~$4,769/yr on a $510K home). Ashburn's rate is $0.870 per $100 (~$5,394/yr on a $620K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Annapolis and Ashburn compare?

Annapolis is Maryland's capital and the home of the U. Ashburn is one of Loudoun County's fastest-growing communities. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

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 June 2026.

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Annapolis vs Ashburn: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover