City Comparison

Bowie vs McLean: 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. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Bowie's median sold price is $505K with homes averaging 38 days on market; McLean is at $1.4M and 41 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). McLean is pricier ($1.4M median vs $505K), a difference of about $845K. Bowie moves faster, with homes averaging 38 days on market compared to 41 in McLean. Bowie offers a lower entry point at $200K–$900K.

Bowie

MD

McLean

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$505K

$1.4M

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

38 days

41 days

Price Range

$200K–$900K

$700K–$5M+

Notable Neighborhoods

Bowie Town Center, Collington, Northview, Pointer Ridge

Langley Farms, Chain Bridge Forest, Broyhill Langley Estates, McLean Hamlet

Property Tax

On a $505K home in Bowie, you would pay ~$6,454/yr in property tax. In McLean, a $1.4M home costs ~$14,985/yr. McLean has the lower rate at $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Bowie

MD

McLean

VA

Rate per $100

$1.278

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,454/yr

$14,985/yr

Notes

Prince George's County rate

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

McLean is more walkable with a Walk Score of 28 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Bowie. Transit scores: Bowie (15) vs McLean (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Bowie Town Center and Langley Farms score much higher than suburban areas.

Bowie

MD

McLean

VA

Walk Score

22Almost All Errands Require a Car
28Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

22

Bike Score

25

32

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Bowie and McLean. 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

McLean

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.5/1K

0.3/1K

Reported Property Crime

16.2/1K

6.5/1K

MD

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bowie or McLean more affordable?

Bowie is more affordable with a median sold price of $505K, compared to $1.4M in McLean (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. McLean prices range from $700K–$5M+.

What are property taxes in Bowie vs McLean?

Bowie has a property tax rate of $1.278 per $100 (~$6,454/yr on a $505K home). McLean's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$14,985/yr on a $1.4M home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Bowie and McLean compare?

Bowie is one of the largest cities in Prince George's County, offering spacious homes, strong community programs, and convenient access to D. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. 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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