City Comparison

Annapolis vs Spotsylvania: How they compare

Annapolis is Maryland's capital and the home of the U. Spotsylvania County combines historic battlefields with modern neighborhoods. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Annapolis's median sold price is $615K with homes averaging 35 days on market; Spotsylvania is at $500K and 41 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Annapolis is pricier ($615K median vs $500K), a difference of about $115K. Annapolis moves faster, with homes averaging 35 days on market compared to 41 in Spotsylvania. Spotsylvania offers a lower entry point at $130K–$3M.

Annapolis

MD

Spotsylvania

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$615K

$500K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

35 days

41 days

Price Range

$200K–$3M+

$130K–$3M

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown Annapolis, Eastport, West Annapolis, Parole

Lee Hill, Lees Parke, Crossroads, Thorngate

Schools

Annapolis has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Spotsylvania has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Annapolis include Annapolis High School and Broadneck High School; in Spotsylvania, Riverbend High School and Courtland High School. See Annapolis schools | See Spotsylvania schools

Annapolis

MD

Spotsylvania

VA

Avg Pass Rate

80%

74%

Public schools

Annapolis High School, Broadneck High School, Annapolis Middle School

Riverbend High School, Courtland High School, Chancellor High School

Pass Rate

80%
74%

Commute

Annapolis is closer to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~70 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Annapolis (Rt 50, Rt 2, I-97), Spotsylvania (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3).

Annapolis

MD

Spotsylvania

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~70 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

Rt 50, Rt 2, I-97

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Property Tax

On a $615K home in Annapolis, you would pay ~$5,750/yr in property tax. In Spotsylvania, a $500K home costs ~$4,300/yr. Spotsylvania has the lower rate at $0.860 per $100 of assessed value.

Annapolis

MD

Spotsylvania

VA

Rate per $100

$0.935

$0.860

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$5,750/yr

$4,300/yr

Notes

Anne Arundel County rate; City of Annapolis adds $0.738

None

Walkability

Annapolis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45 (Car-Dependent), compared to 14 in Spotsylvania. Transit scores: Annapolis (18) vs Spotsylvania (6). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Annapolis and Lee Hill score much higher than suburban areas.

Annapolis

MD

Spotsylvania

VA

Walk Score

45Car-Dependent
14Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

18

6

Bike Score

52

15

Safety

Spotsylvania is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 21% 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

Spotsylvania

VA

Safety Rating

Below Average
Safe

Violent Crime

2.2/1K

1.1/1K

Property Crime

20.5/1K

12.3/1K

vs Virginia Avg

34% above Virginia average

21% below Virginia average

MD

Find agents in Annapolis

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Annapolis.

View agents

VA

Find agents in Spotsylvania

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Spotsylvania.

View agents

Decided between Annapolis and Spotsylvania? See how buying a home works on smover.

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Annapolis or Spotsylvania more affordable?

Spotsylvania is more affordable with a median sold price of $500K, compared to $615K in Annapolis (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Annapolis prices range from $200K–$3M+. Spotsylvania prices range from $130K–$3M.

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

Annapolis public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Spotsylvania has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Annapolis include Annapolis High School and Broadneck High School; in Spotsylvania, Riverbend High School and Courtland 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 Spotsylvania?

Annapolis has the shorter commute to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~70 minutes. Annapolis has no direct Metro access. Spotsylvania has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Annapolis vs Spotsylvania?

Annapolis has a property tax rate of $0.935 per $100 (~$5,750/yr on a $615K home). Spotsylvania's rate is $0.860 per $100 (~$4,300/yr on a $500K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Annapolis and Spotsylvania compare?

Annapolis is Maryland's capital and the home of the U. Spotsylvania County combines historic battlefields with modern neighborhoods. 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.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 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 August 2026.

Stay ahead of the market

Join buyers, sellers, and agents across Northern Virginia getting weekly market updates, new listings, and tips. Free, every Monday.

Trusted in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and 19 more cities

Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.

Take ownership of your move.

For buyers under contract: your agent confirms the milestones. smover keeps selected documents, confirmed dates, and factual updates in one shared view.

Annapolis vs Spotsylvania: $615K vs $500K (2026) | smover