City Comparison

Ashburn vs Stafford: How they compare

Ashburn is one of Loudoun County's fastest-growing communities. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Ashburn's median sold price is $729K with homes averaging 29 days on market; Stafford is at $545K and 37 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Ashburn is pricier ($729K median vs $545K), a difference of about $184K. Ashburn moves faster, with homes averaging 29 days on market compared to 37 in Stafford. Stafford offers a lower entry point at $108K–$1.3M.

Ashburn

VA

Stafford

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$729K

$545K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

29 days

37 days

Price Range

$350K–$1.2M

$108K–$1.3M

Notable Neighborhoods

Broadlands, Brambleton, Lansdowne, One Loudoun

Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek

Schools

Ashburn has a 89% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Ashburn include Briar Woods High School and Stone Bridge High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. See Ashburn schools | See Stafford schools

Ashburn

VA

Stafford

VA

Avg Pass Rate

89%

77%

Public schools

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

North Stafford High School, Mountain View High School, Stafford High School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Ashburn is closer to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Ashburn has 2 Metro stations, including Ashburn on the Silver line. Major highway access: Ashburn (Rt 7, Rt 28, Dulles Greenway), Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610).

Ashburn

VA

Stafford

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~55 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-95, Rt 1, Rt 610

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Property Tax

On a $729K home in Ashburn, you would pay ~$6,339/yr in property tax. In Stafford, a $545K home costs ~$5,717/yr. Ashburn has the lower rate at $0.870 per $100 of assessed value.

Ashburn

VA

Stafford

VA

Rate per $100

$0.870

$1.049

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,339/yr

$5,717/yr

Notes

Loudoun County rate

None

Walkability

Ashburn is more walkable with a Walk Score of 28 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Stafford. Transit scores: Ashburn (22) vs Stafford (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Broadlands and Aquia Harbour score much higher than suburban areas.

Ashburn

VA

Stafford

VA

Walk Score

28Car-Dependent
15Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

22

8

Bike Score

35

18

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Ashburn and Stafford. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.

Ashburn

VA

Stafford

VA

Reported Violent Crime

0.4/1K

0.9/1K

Reported Property Crime

6.9/1K

10.8/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ashburn or Stafford more affordable?

Stafford is more affordable with a median sold price of $545K, 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. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M.

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

Ashburn public schools have a 89% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Ashburn include Briar Woods High School and Stone Bridge High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Ashburn or Stafford?

Ashburn has the shorter commute to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Ashburn has Metro access (Ashburn). Stafford has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Ashburn vs Stafford?

Ashburn has a property tax rate of $0.870 per $100 (~$6,339/yr on a $729K home). Stafford's rate is $1.049 per $100 (~$5,717/yr on a $545K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Ashburn and Stafford compare?

Ashburn is one of Loudoun County's fastest-growing communities. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records 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 September 2026.

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