City Comparison

Annapolis vs Sterling: How they compare

Annapolis is Maryland's capital and the home of the U. Sterling is a fast-growing Loudoun County community near Dulles Airport. 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; Sterling is at $615K and 26 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Sterling is pricier ($615K median vs $615K), a difference of about $0K. Sterling moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 35 in Annapolis. Annapolis offers a lower entry point at $180K–$1.5M.

Annapolis

MD

Sterling

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$615K

$615K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

35 days

26 days

Price Range

$200K–$3M+

$180K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown Annapolis, Eastport, West Annapolis, Parole

Cascades, Countryside, Sugarland Run, Lowes Island

MD

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Browse verified agents with real sales data in Annapolis.

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VA

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Browse verified agents with real sales data in Sterling.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Annapolis or Sterling more affordable?

Sterling is more affordable with a median sold price of $615K, 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+. Sterling prices range from $180K–$1.5M.

How do Annapolis and Sterling compare?

Annapolis is Maryland's capital and the home of the U. Sterling is a fast-growing Loudoun County community near Dulles Airport. 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.

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Annapolis vs Sterling: Median $615K vs $615K (2026) | smover