City Comparison

Arlington vs Leesburg: How they compare

Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. Leesburg blends colonial history with modern amenities. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Leesburg is pricier ($870K median vs $750K), a difference of about $120K. Arlington moves faster, with homes averaging 10 days on market compared to 22 in Leesburg. Arlington offers a lower entry point at $350K–$2.5M.

Arlington

VA

Leesburg

VA

Median Price

$750K

$870K

Avg Days on Market

10 days

22 days

Price Range

$350K–$2.5M

$150K–$5.8M

Top Neighborhoods

Ballston, Clarendon, Crystal City, Pentagon City

Lansdowne, Raspberry Falls, Beacon Hill, Edwards Ferry Road

Schools

Arlington has a 89% average SOL pass rate; Leesburg has 88% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Leesburg, Tuscarora High School and Heritage High School. See Arlington schools | See Leesburg schools

Arlington

VA

Leesburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

89%

88%

Public schools

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

Tuscarora High School, Heritage High School, Smart's Mill Middle School

Pass Rate

89%
88%

Commute

Arlington is closer to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~50 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), Leesburg (Rt 7, Rt 15, Dulles Greenway).

Arlington

VA

Leesburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~15 min

~50 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

Rt 7, Rt 15, Dulles Greenway

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $750K home in Arlington, you would pay ~$7,597/yr in property tax. In Leesburg, a $870K home costs ~$7,569/yr. Leesburg has the lower rate at $0.870 per $100 of assessed value.

Arlington

VA

Leesburg

VA

Rate per $100

$1.013

$0.870

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,597/yr

$7,569/yr

Notes

Includes $0.003 stormwater fee

Loudoun County rate; Town of Leesburg adds $0.165

Walkability

Arlington is more walkable with a Walk Score of 69 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 38 in Leesburg. Transit scores: Arlington (57) vs Leesburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Ballston and Lansdowne score much higher than suburban areas.

Arlington

VA

Leesburg

VA

Walk Score

69Somewhat Walkable
38Car-Dependent

Transit Score

57

10

Bike Score

72

42

Safety

Leesburg is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 51% 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

Leesburg

VA

Safety Rating

Average
Very Safe

Violent Crime

1.4/1K

0.5/1K

Property Crime

15.2/1K

7.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

Near Virginia average

51% below Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlington or Leesburg more affordable?

Arlington is more affordable with a median home price of $750K, compared to $870K in Leesburg. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Arlington prices range from $350K–$2.5M. Leesburg prices range from $150K–$5.8M.

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

Arlington public schools have a 89% average SOL pass rate; Leesburg has 88% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Leesburg, Tuscarora High School and Heritage High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Arlington or Leesburg?

Arlington has the shorter commute to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Arlington has Metro access (Rosslyn). Leesburg has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Arlington vs Leesburg?

Arlington has a property tax rate of $1.013 per $100 (~$7,597/yr on a $750K home). Leesburg's rate is $0.870 per $100 (~$7,569/yr on a $870K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Arlington and Leesburg compare?

Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. Leesburg blends colonial history with modern amenities. 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 Leesburg: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover