City Comparison

Bowie vs Chesterfield: How they compare

Bowie is one of the largest cities in Prince George's County, offering spacious homes, strong community programs, and convenient access to D. Chesterfield County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Richmond metro, offering new construction, public schools, and affordable homes south of the James River. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Bowie is pricier ($460K median vs $350K), a difference of about $110K. Chesterfield moves faster, with homes averaging 17 days on market compared to 19 in Bowie. Chesterfield offers a lower entry point at $150K–$900K.

Bowie

MD

Chesterfield

VA

Median Price

$460K

$350K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

17 days

Price Range

$200K–$900K

$150K–$900K

Top Neighborhoods

Bowie Town Center, Collington, Northview, Pointer Ridge

Midlothian, Brandermill, Woodlake, Moseley

Schools

Bowie has a 75% average SOL pass rate; Chesterfield has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Chesterfield, Cosby High School and Clover Hill High School. See Bowie schools | See Chesterfield schools

Bowie

MD

Chesterfield

VA

Avg Pass Rate

75%

79%

Public schools

Bowie High School, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Benjamin Tasker Middle School

Cosby High School, Clover Hill High School, Midlothian High School

Pass Rate

75%
79%

Commute

Chesterfield is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bowie (Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495), Chesterfield (I-95, I-295, Rt 1).

Bowie

MD

Chesterfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~20 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495

I-95, I-295, Rt 1, Rt 10, Rt 360

Commuter Rail

MARC (Penn Line)

None

MD

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bowie or Chesterfield more affordable?

Chesterfield is more affordable with a median home price of $350K, compared to $460K in Bowie. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Bowie prices range from $200K–$900K. Chesterfield prices range from $150K–$900K.

What are the public-school pass rates in Bowie and Chesterfield?

Bowie public schools have a 75% average SOL pass rate; Chesterfield has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Chesterfield, Cosby High School and Clover Hill High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Bowie or Chesterfield?

Chesterfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Bowie has no direct Metro access. Chesterfield has no direct Metro access.

How do Bowie and Chesterfield compare?

Bowie is one of the largest cities in Prince George's County, offering spacious homes, strong community programs, and convenient access to D. Chesterfield County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Richmond metro, offering new construction, public schools, and affordable homes south of the James River. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

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 June 2026.

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Bowie vs Chesterfield: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover