City Comparison

Arlington vs Burke: How they compare

Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Arlington's median sold price is $727K with homes averaging 38 days on market; Burke is at $660K and 20 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Arlington is pricier ($727K median vs $660K), a difference of about $67K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 20 days on market compared to 38 in Arlington. Burke offers a lower entry point at $235K–$1.8M.

Arlington

VA

Burke

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$727K

$660K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

38 days

20 days

Price Range

$350K–$2.5M

$235K–$1.8M

Notable Neighborhoods

Ballston, Clarendon, Crystal City, Pentagon City

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

Schools

Arlington has a 89% average SOL pass rate; Burke has 86% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Burke, Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. See Arlington schools | See Burke schools

Arlington

VA

Burke

VA

Avg Pass Rate

89%

86%

Public schools

Yorktown High School, Washington-Liberty High School, Williamsburg Middle School

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

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Arlington is closer to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Arlington has 6 Metro stations, including Rosslyn on the Orange/Silver/Blue/Yellow lines. Major highway access: Arlington (I-66, I-395, Rt 50), Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy).

Arlington

VA

Burke

VA

Drive to Downtown

~15 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

6 Metro stations (nearest: Rosslyn)

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, I-395, Rt 50

I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Burke Centre station)

Property Tax

On a $727K home in Arlington, you would pay ~$7,365/yr in property tax. In Burke, a $660K home costs ~$7,326/yr. Arlington has the lower rate at $1.013 per $100 of assessed value.

Arlington

VA

Burke

VA

Rate per $100

$1.013

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,365/yr

$7,326/yr

Notes

Includes $0.003 stormwater fee

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Arlington is more walkable with a Walk Score of 69 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 22 in Burke. Transit scores: Arlington (57) vs Burke (15). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Ballston and Burke Centre score much higher than suburban areas.

Arlington

VA

Burke

VA

Walk Score

69Somewhat Walkable
22Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

57

15

Bike Score

72

25

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Arlington and Burke. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.

Arlington

VA

Burke

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.4/1K

0.5/1K

Reported Property Crime

15.2/1K

8.2/1K

VA

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlington or Burke more affordable?

Burke is more affordable with a median sold price of $660K, compared to $727K in Arlington (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Arlington prices range from $350K–$2.5M. Burke prices range from $235K–$1.8M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Arlington and Burke?

Arlington public schools have a 89% average SOL pass rate; Burke has 86% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Burke, Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Arlington or Burke?

Arlington has the shorter commute to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Arlington has Metro access (Rosslyn). Burke has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Arlington vs Burke?

Arlington has a property tax rate of $1.013 per $100 (~$7,365/yr on a $727K home). Burke's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,326/yr on a $660K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Arlington and Burke compare?

Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.

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

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