Market Overview
Bowie's median sold price is $505K with homes averaging 38 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 $505K), a difference of about $260K. Fairfax moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 38 in Bowie. Bowie offers a lower entry point at $200K–$900K.
Bowie
MD
Fairfax
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$505K
$765K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
38 days
26 days
Price Range
$200K–$900K
$350K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Bowie Town Center, Collington, Northview, Pointer Ridge
Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills
Schools
Bowie has a 75% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. See Bowie schools | See Fairfax schools
Bowie
MD
Fairfax
VA
Avg Pass Rate
75%
87%
Public schools
Bowie High School, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Benjamin Tasker Middle 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 ~35 minutes. Fairfax has 2 Metro stations, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Bowie (Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495), Fairfax (I-66, I-495, Rt 50).
Bowie
MD
Fairfax
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~35 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
2 Metro stations (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)
Metro Lines
N/A
Orange
Major Highways
Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495
I-66, I-495, Rt 50, Rt 29
Commuter Rail
MARC (Penn Line)
None
Property Tax
On a $505K home in Bowie, you would pay ~$6,454/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.
Bowie
MD
Fairfax
VA
Rate per $100
$1.278
$1.110
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$6,454/yr
$8,492/yr
Notes
Prince George's County rate
Fairfax County rate; City of Fairfax is $1.075
Walkability
Fairfax is more walkable with a Walk Score of 35 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Bowie. Transit scores: Bowie (15) vs Fairfax (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Bowie Town Center and Mantua score much higher than suburban areas.
Bowie
MD
Fairfax
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
15
28
Bike Score
25
42
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Bowie 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.
Bowie
MD
Fairfax
VA
Reported Violent Crime
1.5/1K
0.8/1K
Reported Property Crime
16.2/1K
10.2/1K
MD
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Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowie or Fairfax more affordable?
Bowie is more affordable with a median sold price of $505K, 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. Bowie prices range from $200K–$900K. Fairfax prices range from $350K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Bowie and Fairfax?
Bowie public schools have a 75% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; 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, Bowie or Fairfax?
Fairfax has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Bowie has no direct Metro access. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).
What are property taxes in Bowie vs Fairfax?
Bowie has a property tax rate of $1.278 per $100 (~$6,454/yr on a $505K 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 Bowie and Fairfax compare?
Bowie is one of the largest cities in Prince George's County, offering spacious homes, strong community programs, and convenient access to D. 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.