Market Overview
Bowie's median sold price is $505K with homes averaging 38 days on market; Bristow is at $719K and 19 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Bristow is pricier ($719K median vs $505K), a difference of about $214K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 38 in Bowie. Bowie offers a lower entry point at $200K–$900K.
Bowie
MD
Bristow
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$505K
$719K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
38 days
19 days
Price Range
$200K–$900K
$300K–$900K
Notable Neighborhoods
Bowie Town Center, Collington, Northview, Pointer Ridge
Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall
Schools
Bowie has a 75% average SOL pass rate; Bristow has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Bristow, Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School. See Bowie schools | See Bristow schools
Bowie
MD
Bristow
VA
Avg Pass Rate
75%
79%
Public schools
Bowie High School, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Benjamin Tasker Middle School
Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Bowie is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bowie (Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495), Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29).
Bowie
MD
Bristow
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~50 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
No Metro access
Metro Lines
N/A
N/A
Major Highways
Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495
I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29
Commuter Rail
MARC (Penn Line)
VRE (Manassas line)
Walkability
Bowie is more walkable with a Walk Score of 22 (Almost All Errands Require a Car), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bowie (15) vs Bristow (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Bowie Town Center and Kingsbrooke score much higher than suburban areas.
Bowie
MD
Bristow
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
15
8
Bike Score
25
12
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Bowie and Bristow. 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.
Bowie
MD
Bristow
VA
Reported Violent Crime
1.5/1K
0.6/1K
Reported Property Crime
16.2/1K
7.9/1K
MD
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowie or Bristow more affordable?
Bowie is more affordable with a median sold price of $505K, compared to $719K in Bristow (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. Bowie prices range from $200K–$900K. Bristow prices range from $300K–$900K.
What are the public-school pass rates in Bowie and Bristow?
Bowie public schools have a 75% average SOL pass rate; Bristow has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Bristow, Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Bowie or Bristow?
Bowie has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bowie has no direct Metro access. Bristow has no direct Metro access.
How do Bowie and Bristow compare?
Bowie is one of the largest cities in Prince George's County, offering spacious homes, strong community programs, and convenient access to D. Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. 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.