City Comparison

Bowie vs Dumfries: 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. Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. 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 $450K), a difference of about $10K. Bowie moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 20 in Dumfries. Dumfries offers a lower entry point at $200K–$750K.

Bowie

MD

Dumfries

VA

Median Price

$460K

$450K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

20 days

Price Range

$200K–$900K

$200K–$750K

Top Neighborhoods

Bowie Town Center, Collington, Northview, Pointer Ridge

Montclair, Potomac Club, Triangle, Cherry Hill

Schools

Bowie has a 75% average SOL pass rate; Dumfries has 71% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Dumfries, Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School. See Bowie schools | See Dumfries schools

Bowie

MD

Dumfries

VA

Avg Pass Rate

75%

71%

Public schools

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

Forest Park High School, Graham Park Middle School, Leesylvania Elementary

Pass Rate

75%
71%

Commute

Bowie is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bowie (Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495), Dumfries (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234).

Bowie

MD

Dumfries

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~45 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, Rt 1, Rt 234

Commuter Rail

MARC (Penn Line)

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

MD

Find agents in Bowie

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Bowie.

View agents

VA

Find agents in Dumfries

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Dumfries.

View agents

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bowie or Dumfries more affordable?

Dumfries is more affordable with a median home price of $450K, 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. Dumfries prices range from $200K–$750K.

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

Bowie public schools have a 75% average SOL pass rate; Dumfries has 71% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Dumfries, Forest Park High School and Graham Park 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 Dumfries?

Bowie has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Bowie has no direct Metro access. Dumfries has no direct Metro access.

How do Bowie and Dumfries compare?

Bowie is one of the largest cities in Prince George's County, offering spacious homes, strong community programs, and convenient access to D. Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. 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.

Stay ahead of the market

Join buyers, sellers, and agents across Northern Virginia getting weekly market updates, new listings, and tips. Free, every Monday.

Trusted in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and 19 more cities

Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.

Take ownership of your move.

You choose the home, the agent, the lender. We take care of everything in between.

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