City Comparison

Ashburn vs Centreville: Which is right for your family?

Ashburn is one of Loudoun County's fastest-growing communities. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Ashburn is pricier ($620K median vs $600K), a difference of about $20K. Both cities average 16 days on market. Centreville offers a lower entry point at $245K–$3.1M.

Ashburn

VA

Centreville

VA

Median Price

$620K

$600K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

16 days

Price Range

$350K–$1.2M

$245K–$3.1M

Top Neighborhoods

Broadlands, Brambleton, Lansdowne, One Loudoun

Centre Ridge, Sully Station, Virginia Run, Little Rocky Run

Schools

Ashburn leads on school quality with a 89% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 84% in Centreville. Top schools in Ashburn include Briar Woods High School and Stone Bridge High School. In Centreville, families look to Centreville High School and Westfield High School. See Ashburn schools | See Centreville schools

Ashburn

VA

Centreville

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

89%

84%

Top Schools

Briar Woods High School, Stone Bridge High School, Eagle Ridge Middle School

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

Pass Rate

89%
84%

Commute

Centreville is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Ashburn has 2 Metro stations, including Ashburn on the Silver line. Major highway access: Ashburn (Rt 7, Rt 28, Dulles Greenway), Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29).

Ashburn

VA

Centreville

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~40 min

Metro Stations

2 Metro stations (nearest: Ashburn)

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Silver

N/A

Major Highways

Rt 7, Rt 28, Dulles Greenway

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $620K home in Ashburn, you would pay ~$5,394/yr in property tax. In Centreville, a $600K home costs ~$6,660/yr. Ashburn has the lower rate at $0.870 per $100 of assessed value.

Ashburn

VA

Centreville

VA

Rate per $100

$0.870

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$5,394/yr

$6,660/yr

Notes

Loudoun County rate

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Ashburn is more walkable with a Walk Score of 28 (Car-Dependent), compared to 25 in Centreville. Transit scores: Ashburn (22) vs Centreville (15). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Broadlands and Centre Ridge score much higher than suburban areas.

Ashburn

VA

Centreville

VA

Walk Score

28Car-Dependent
25Car-Dependent

Transit Score

22

15

Bike Score

35

28

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% below Virginia average. Ashburn is rated "Very Safe" (57% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Ashburn

VA

Centreville

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Very Safe

Violent Crime

0.4/1K

0.7/1K

Property Crime

6.9/1K

9.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

57% below Virginia average

42% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ashburn or Centreville more affordable?

Centreville is more affordable with a median home price of $600K, compared to $620K in Ashburn. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Ashburn prices range from $350K–$1.2M. Centreville prices range from $245K–$3.1M.

Which has better schools, Ashburn or Centreville?

Ashburn has stronger schools overall, with a 89% average pass rate compared to 84% in Centreville. Top schools in Ashburn include Briar Woods High School and Stone Bridge High School. In Centreville, standout schools include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Ashburn or Centreville?

Centreville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Ashburn has Metro access (Ashburn). Centreville has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Ashburn vs Centreville?

Ashburn has a property tax rate of $0.870 per $100 (~$5,394/yr on a $620K home). Centreville's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$6,660/yr on a $600K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Ashburn or Centreville better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Ashburn is one of Loudoun County's fastest-growing communities. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. 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.