City Comparison

Annapolis vs Woodbridge: Which is right for your family?

Annapolis is Maryland's capital and the home of the U. Woodbridge is the commercial heart of eastern Prince William County. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Annapolis is pricier ($510K median vs $507K), a difference of about $3K. Woodbridge moves faster, with homes averaging 22 days on market compared to 25 in Annapolis. Woodbridge offers a lower entry point at $145K–$2.9M.

Annapolis

MD

Woodbridge

VA

Median Price

$510K

$507K

Avg Days on Market

25 days

22 days

Price Range

$200K–$3M+

$145K–$2.9M

Top Neighborhoods

Downtown Annapolis, Eastport, West Annapolis, Parole

Dale City, Lake Ridge, Occoquan, Potomac Mills

Schools

Annapolis leads on school quality with a 80% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 73% in Woodbridge. Top schools in Annapolis include Annapolis High School and Broadneck High School. In Woodbridge, families look to Woodbridge High School and Gar-Field High School. See Annapolis schools | See Woodbridge schools

Annapolis

MD

Woodbridge

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

80%

73%

Top Schools

Annapolis High School, Broadneck High School, Annapolis Middle School

Woodbridge High School, Gar-Field High School, Rippon Middle School

Pass Rate

80%
73%

Commute

Woodbridge is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Annapolis (Rt 50, Rt 2, I-97), Woodbridge (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 123).

Annapolis

MD

Woodbridge

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~40 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 123

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Property Tax

On a $510K home in Annapolis, you would pay ~$4,769/yr in property tax. In Woodbridge, a $507K home costs ~$5,222/yr. Annapolis has the lower rate at $0.935 per $100 of assessed value.

Annapolis

MD

Woodbridge

VA

Rate per $100

$0.935

$1.030

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$4,769/yr

$5,222/yr

Notes

Anne Arundel County rate; City of Annapolis adds $0.738

Prince William County rate

Walkability

Annapolis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Woodbridge. Transit scores: Annapolis (18) vs Woodbridge (12). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Annapolis and Dale City score much higher than suburban areas.

Annapolis

MD

Woodbridge

VA

Walk Score

45Car-Dependent
22Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

18

12

Bike Score

52

20

Safety

Woodbridge is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 11% 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

Woodbridge

VA

Safety Rating

Below Average
Safe

Violent Crime

2.2/1K

1.3/1K

Property Crime

20.5/1K

13.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

34% above Virginia average

11% below Virginia average

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Annapolis or Woodbridge more affordable?

Woodbridge is more affordable with a median home price of $507K, compared to $510K in Annapolis. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Annapolis prices range from $200K–$3M+. Woodbridge prices range from $145K–$2.9M.

Which has better schools, Annapolis or Woodbridge?

Annapolis has stronger schools overall, with a 80% average pass rate compared to 73% in Woodbridge. Top schools in Annapolis include Annapolis High School and Broadneck High School. In Woodbridge, standout schools include Woodbridge High School and Gar-Field High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Annapolis or Woodbridge?

Woodbridge has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Annapolis has no direct Metro access. Woodbridge has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Annapolis vs Woodbridge?

Annapolis has a property tax rate of $0.935 per $100 (~$4,769/yr on a $510K home). Woodbridge's rate is $1.030 per $100 (~$5,222/yr on a $507K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Annapolis or Woodbridge better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Annapolis is Maryland's capital and the home of the U. Woodbridge is the commercial heart of eastern Prince William County. 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.