City Comparison

Baltimore vs Leesburg: How they compare

Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. Leesburg blends colonial history with modern amenities. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Baltimore's median sold price is $275K with homes averaging 41 days on market; Leesburg is at $805K and 27 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Leesburg is pricier ($805K median vs $275K), a difference of about $530K. Leesburg moves faster, with homes averaging 27 days on market compared to 41 in Baltimore. Baltimore offers a lower entry point at $50K–$1.5M.

Baltimore

MD

Leesburg

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$275K

$805K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

41 days

27 days

Price Range

$50K–$1.5M

$150K–$5.8M

Notable Neighborhoods

Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Roland Park

Lansdowne, Raspberry Falls, Beacon Hill, Edwards Ferry Road

Schools

Baltimore has a 55% average SOL pass rate; Leesburg has 88% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Baltimore include Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College; in Leesburg, Tuscarora High School and Heritage High School. See Baltimore schools | See Leesburg schools

Baltimore

MD

Leesburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

55%

88%

Public schools

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City College, Western High School

Tuscarora High School, Heritage High School, Smart's Mill Middle School

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

Commute

Leesburg is closer to downtown at ~50 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Baltimore (I-95, I-695, I-83), Leesburg (Rt 7, Rt 15, Dulles Greenway).

Baltimore

MD

Leesburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~65 min

~50 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-95, I-695, I-83, I-295, Rt 1

Rt 7, Rt 15, Dulles Greenway

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 Leesburg, a $805K home costs ~$7,004/yr. Leesburg has the lower rate at $0.870 per $100 of assessed value.

Baltimore

MD

Leesburg

VA

Rate per $100

$2.248

$0.870

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,182/yr

$7,004/yr

Notes

Baltimore City rate (highest in Maryland)

Loudoun County rate; Town of Leesburg adds $0.165

Walkability

Baltimore is more walkable with a Walk Score of 65 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 38 in Leesburg. Transit scores: Baltimore (52) vs Leesburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Canton and Lansdowne score much higher than suburban areas.

Baltimore

MD

Leesburg

VA

Walk Score

65Somewhat Walkable
38Car-Dependent

Transit Score

52

10

Bike Score

58

42

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Baltimore and Leesburg. 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

Leesburg

VA

Reported Violent Crime

11.2/1K

0.5/1K

Reported Property Crime

28.5/1K

7.8/1K

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Baltimore or Leesburg more affordable?

Baltimore is more affordable with a median sold price of $275K, compared to $805K in Leesburg (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. Leesburg prices range from $150K–$5.8M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Baltimore and Leesburg?

Baltimore public schools have a 55% average SOL pass rate; Leesburg has 88% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Baltimore include Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College; in Leesburg, Tuscarora High School and Heritage 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 Leesburg?

Leesburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~50 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Baltimore has no direct Metro access. Leesburg has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Baltimore vs Leesburg?

Baltimore has a property tax rate of $2.248 per $100 (~$6,182/yr on a $275K home). Leesburg's rate is $0.870 per $100 (~$7,004/yr on a $805K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Baltimore and Leesburg compare?

Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. Leesburg blends colonial history with modern amenities. 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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