City Comparison

Annapolis vs Burke: Which is right for your family?

Annapolis is Maryland's capital and the home of the U. Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park, top-rated schools, and tree-lined neighborhoods. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Burke is pricier ($757K median vs $510K), a difference of about $247K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 25 in Annapolis. Annapolis offers a lower entry point at $200K–$3M+.

Annapolis

MD

Burke

VA

Median Price

$510K

$757K

Avg Days on Market

25 days

14 days

Price Range

$200K–$3M+

$235K–$1.8M

Top Neighborhoods

Downtown Annapolis, Eastport, West Annapolis, Parole

Burke Centre, Burke Station Square, Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run

Schools

Burke leads on school quality with a 86% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 80% in Annapolis. Top schools in Annapolis include Annapolis High School and Broadneck High School. In Burke, families look to Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. See Annapolis schools | See Burke schools

Annapolis

MD

Burke

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Excellent

Avg Pass Rate

80%

86%

Top Schools

Annapolis High School, Broadneck High School, Annapolis Middle School

Lake Braddock Secondary School, Robinson Secondary School, White Oaks Elementary

Pass Rate

80%
86%

Commute

Burke is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Annapolis (Rt 50, Rt 2, I-97), Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy).

Annapolis

MD

Burke

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

Rt 50, Rt 2, I-97

I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Burke Centre station)

Property Tax

On a $510K home in Annapolis, you would pay ~$4,769/yr in property tax. In Burke, a $757K home costs ~$8,403/yr. Annapolis has the lower rate at $0.935 per $100 of assessed value.

Annapolis

MD

Burke

VA

Rate per $100

$0.935

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$4,769/yr

$8,403/yr

Notes

Anne Arundel County rate; City of Annapolis adds $0.738

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Annapolis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Burke. Transit scores: Annapolis (18) vs Burke (15). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Annapolis and Burke Centre score much higher than suburban areas.

Annapolis

MD

Burke

VA

Walk Score

45Car-Dependent
22Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

18

15

Bike Score

52

25

Safety

Burke is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 49% 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

Burke

VA

Safety Rating

Below Average
Very Safe

Violent Crime

2.2/1K

0.5/1K

Property Crime

20.5/1K

8.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

34% above Virginia average

49% below Virginia average

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Annapolis or Burke more affordable?

Annapolis is more affordable with a median home price of $510K, compared to $757K in Burke. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Annapolis prices range from $200K–$3M+. Burke prices range from $235K–$1.8M.

Which has better schools, Annapolis or Burke?

Burke has stronger schools overall, with a 86% average pass rate compared to 80% in Annapolis. Top schools in Annapolis include Annapolis High School and Broadneck High School. In Burke, standout schools include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Annapolis or Burke?

Burke has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Annapolis has no direct Metro access. Burke has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Annapolis vs Burke?

Annapolis has a property tax rate of $0.935 per $100 (~$4,769/yr on a $510K home). Burke's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$8,403/yr on a $757K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Annapolis or Burke better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Annapolis is Maryland's capital and the home of the U. Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park, top-rated schools, and tree-lined neighborhoods. The best choice depends on your priorities: budget, school quality, commute length, and neighborhood feel. smover can help you find a verified agent in either city who specializes in family-friendly neighborhoods.

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 March 2026.