City Comparison

Arlington vs Chantilly: How they compare

Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. Chantilly offers spacious homes and public schools in western Fairfax County. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Arlington is pricier ($750K median vs $710K), a difference of about $40K. Arlington moves faster, with homes averaging 10 days on market compared to 19 in Chantilly. Chantilly offers a lower entry point at $25K–$2.8M.

Arlington

VA

Chantilly

VA

Median Price

$750K

$710K

Avg Days on Market

10 days

19 days

Price Range

$350K–$2.5M

$25K–$2.8M

Top Neighborhoods

Ballston, Clarendon, Crystal City, Pentagon City

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Schools

Arlington has a 89% average SOL pass rate; Chantilly has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Chantilly, Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. See Arlington schools | See Chantilly schools

Arlington

VA

Chantilly

VA

Avg Pass Rate

89%

85%

Public schools

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

Chantilly High School, Rocky Run Middle School, Greenbriar West Elementary

Pass Rate

89%
85%

Commute

Arlington is closer to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Arlington has 6 Metro stations, including Rosslyn on the Orange/Silver/Blue/Yellow lines. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Major highway access: Arlington (I-66, I-395, Rt 50), Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50).

Arlington

VA

Chantilly

VA

Drive to Downtown

~15 min

~40 min

Metro Stations

6 Metro stations (nearest: Rosslyn)

1 Metro station (nearest: Dulles Airport)

Metro Lines

Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow

Silver

Major Highways

I-66, I-395, Rt 50

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $750K home in Arlington, you would pay ~$7,597/yr in property tax. In Chantilly, a $710K home costs ~$7,881/yr. Arlington has the lower rate at $1.013 per $100 of assessed value.

Arlington

VA

Chantilly

VA

Rate per $100

$1.013

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,597/yr

$7,881/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 20 in Chantilly. Transit scores: Arlington (57) vs Chantilly (12). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Ballston and Sully Station score much higher than suburban areas.

Arlington

VA

Chantilly

VA

Walk Score

69Somewhat Walkable
20Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

57

12

Bike Score

72

22

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Arlington is rated "Average" (Near Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Arlington

VA

Chantilly

VA

Safety Rating

Average
Very Safe

Violent Crime

1.4/1K

0.6/1K

Property Crime

15.2/1K

8.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

Near Virginia average

44% below Virginia average

VA

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See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlington or Chantilly more affordable?

Chantilly is more affordable with a median home price of $710K, compared to $750K in Arlington. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Arlington prices range from $350K–$2.5M. Chantilly prices range from $25K–$2.8M.

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

Arlington public schools have a 89% average SOL pass rate; Chantilly has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Chantilly, Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Arlington or Chantilly?

Arlington has the shorter commute to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Arlington has Metro access (Rosslyn). Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport).

What are property taxes in Arlington vs Chantilly?

Arlington has a property tax rate of $1.013 per $100 (~$7,597/yr on a $750K home). Chantilly's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Arlington and Chantilly compare?

Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. Chantilly offers spacious homes and public schools in western Fairfax County. 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.

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 June 2026.

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Arlington vs Chantilly: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover