City Comparison

Ashburn vs Charlottesville: How they compare

Ashburn is one of Loudoun County's fastest-growing communities. Charlottesville is a college town centered around the University of Virginia, with a walkable downtown, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia wine country. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Ashburn's median sold price is $729K with homes averaging 29 days on market; Charlottesville is at $535K and 45 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Ashburn is pricier ($729K median vs $535K), a difference of about $194K. Ashburn moves faster, with homes averaging 29 days on market compared to 45 in Charlottesville. Charlottesville offers a lower entry point at $175K–$2M.

Ashburn

VA

Charlottesville

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$729K

$535K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

29 days

45 days

Price Range

$350K–$1.2M

$175K–$2M

Notable Neighborhoods

Broadlands, Brambleton, Lansdowne, One Loudoun

Downtown Mall, Belmont, North Downtown, Barracks Road

Schools

Ashburn has a 89% average SOL pass rate; Charlottesville has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Ashburn include Briar Woods High School and Stone Bridge High School; in Charlottesville, Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School. See Ashburn schools | See Charlottesville schools

Ashburn

VA

Charlottesville

VA

Avg Pass Rate

89%

80%

Public schools

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

Charlottesville High School, Buford Middle School, Jackson-Via Elementary

Pass Rate

89%
80%

Commute

Charlottesville is closer to downtown at ~10 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), Charlottesville (I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250).

Ashburn

VA

Charlottesville

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~10 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-64, Rt 29, Rt 250

Commuter Rail

None

None

Walkability

Charlottesville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 48 (Car-Dependent), compared to 28 in Ashburn. Transit scores: Ashburn (22) vs Charlottesville (18). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Broadlands and Downtown Mall score much higher than suburban areas.

Ashburn

VA

Charlottesville

VA

Walk Score

28Car-Dependent
48Car-Dependent

Transit Score

22

18

Bike Score

35

58

Safety

Ashburn is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 57% below Virginia average. Charlottesville is rated "Below Average" (32% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Ashburn

VA

Charlottesville

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Below Average

Violent Crime

0.4/1K

2.5/1K

Property Crime

6.9/1K

19.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

57% below Virginia average

32% above Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ashburn or Charlottesville more affordable?

Charlottesville is more affordable with a median sold price of $535K, compared to $729K in Ashburn (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. Ashburn prices range from $350K–$1.2M. Charlottesville prices range from $175K–$2M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Ashburn and Charlottesville?

Ashburn public schools have a 89% average SOL pass rate; Charlottesville has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Ashburn include Briar Woods High School and Stone Bridge High School; in Charlottesville, Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Ashburn or Charlottesville?

Charlottesville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Ashburn has Metro access (Ashburn). Charlottesville has no direct Metro access.

How do Ashburn and Charlottesville compare?

Ashburn is one of Loudoun County's fastest-growing communities. Charlottesville is a college town centered around the University of Virginia, with a walkable downtown, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia wine country. 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.

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 August 2026.

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Ashburn vs Charlottesville: $729K vs $535K (2026) | smover