Market Overview
Baltimore's median sold price is $275K with homes averaging 41 days on market; Fairfax is at $765K and 26 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Fairfax is pricier ($765K median vs $275K), a difference of about $490K. Fairfax moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 41 in Baltimore. Baltimore offers a lower entry point at $50K–$1.5M.
Baltimore
MD
Fairfax
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$275K
$765K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
41 days
26 days
Price Range
$50K–$1.5M
$350K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Roland Park
Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills
Schools
Baltimore has a 55% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Baltimore include Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. See Baltimore schools | See Fairfax schools
Baltimore
MD
Fairfax
VA
Avg Pass Rate
55%
87%
Public schools
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City College, Western High School
Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech, Langley High School, McLean High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Fairfax is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Fairfax has 2 Metro stations, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Baltimore (I-95, I-695, I-83), Fairfax (I-66, I-495, Rt 50).
Baltimore
MD
Fairfax
VA
Drive to Downtown
~65 min
~35 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
2 Metro stations (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)
Metro Lines
N/A
Orange
Major Highways
I-95, I-695, I-83, I-295, Rt 1
I-66, I-495, Rt 50, Rt 29
Commuter Rail
MARC (Penn Line, Camden Line)
None
Property Tax
On a $275K home in Baltimore, you would pay ~$6,182/yr in property tax. In Fairfax, a $765K home costs ~$8,492/yr. Fairfax has the lower rate at $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.
Baltimore
MD
Fairfax
VA
Rate per $100
$2.248
$1.110
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$6,182/yr
$8,492/yr
Notes
Baltimore City rate (highest in Maryland)
Fairfax County rate; City of Fairfax is $1.075
Walkability
Baltimore is more walkable with a Walk Score of 65 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 35 in Fairfax. Transit scores: Baltimore (52) vs Fairfax (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Canton and Mantua score much higher than suburban areas.
Baltimore
MD
Fairfax
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
52
28
Bike Score
58
42
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Baltimore and Fairfax. 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.
Baltimore
MD
Fairfax
VA
Reported Violent Crime
11.2/1K
0.8/1K
Reported Property Crime
28.5/1K
10.2/1K
MD
Search homes in Baltimore
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesVA
Search homes in Fairfax
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesDecided between Baltimore and Fairfax? See how buying a home works on smover.
Related Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baltimore or Fairfax more affordable?
Baltimore is more affordable with a median sold price of $275K, compared to $765K in Fairfax (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. Baltimore prices range from $50K–$1.5M. Fairfax prices range from $350K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Baltimore and Fairfax?
Baltimore public schools have a 55% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Baltimore include Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Baltimore or Fairfax?
Fairfax has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Baltimore has no direct Metro access. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).
What are property taxes in Baltimore vs Fairfax?
Baltimore has a property tax rate of $2.248 per $100 (~$6,182/yr on a $275K home). Fairfax's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$8,492/yr on a $765K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
How do Baltimore and Fairfax compare?
Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. Fairfax combines public-school access, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. 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.