City Comparison

Ashburn vs Springfield: Which is right for your family?

Ashburn is one of Loudoun County's fastest-growing communities. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Springfield is pricier ($703K median vs $620K), a difference of about $83K. Both cities average 16 days on market. Ashburn offers a lower entry point at $350K–$1.2M.

Ashburn

VA

Springfield

VA

Median Price

$620K

$703K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

16 days

Price Range

$350K–$1.2M

$210K–$1.7M

Top Neighborhoods

Broadlands, Brambleton, Lansdowne, One Loudoun

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Ashburn leads on school quality with a 89% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 82% in Springfield. Top schools in Ashburn include Briar Woods High School and Stone Bridge High School. In Springfield, families look to West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Ashburn schools | See Springfield schools

Ashburn

VA

Springfield

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

89%

82%

Top Schools

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

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving Middle School

Pass Rate

89%
82%

Commute

Springfield is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Ashburn has 2 Metro stations, including Ashburn on the Silver line. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Ashburn (Rt 7, Rt 28, Dulles Greenway), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Ashburn

VA

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

2 Metro stations (nearest: Ashburn)

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

Silver

Blue

Major Highways

Rt 7, Rt 28, Dulles Greenway

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $620K home in Ashburn, you would pay ~$5,394/yr in property tax. In Springfield, a $703K home costs ~$7,803/yr. Ashburn has the lower rate at $0.870 per $100 of assessed value.

Ashburn

VA

Springfield

VA

Rate per $100

$0.870

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$5,394/yr

$7,803/yr

Notes

Loudoun County rate

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Springfield is more walkable with a Walk Score of 32 (Car-Dependent), compared to 28 in Ashburn. Transit scores: Ashburn (22) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Broadlands and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Ashburn

VA

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

28Car-Dependent
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

22

28

Bike Score

35

38

Safety

Ashburn is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 57% below Virginia average. Springfield is rated "Safe" (36% 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

Springfield

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.4/1K

0.7/1K

Property Crime

6.9/1K

10.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

57% below Virginia average

36% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ashburn or Springfield more affordable?

Ashburn is more affordable with a median home price of $620K, compared to $703K in Springfield. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Ashburn prices range from $350K–$1.2M. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

Which has better schools, Ashburn or Springfield?

Ashburn has stronger schools overall, with a 89% average pass rate compared to 82% in Springfield. Top schools in Ashburn include Briar Woods High School and Stone Bridge High School. In Springfield, standout schools include West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Ashburn or Springfield?

Springfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Ashburn has Metro access (Ashburn). Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield).

What are property taxes in Ashburn vs Springfield?

Ashburn has a property tax rate of $0.870 per $100 (~$5,394/yr on a $620K home). Springfield's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,803/yr on a $703K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Ashburn or Springfield better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Ashburn is one of Loudoun County's fastest-growing communities. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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.