Market Overview
Bowie's median sold price is $505K with homes averaging 38 days on market; Richmond is at $390K and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Bowie is pricier ($505K median vs $390K), a difference of about $115K. Richmond moves faster, with homes averaging 31 days on market compared to 38 in Bowie. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.
Bowie
MD
Richmond
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$505K
$390K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
38 days
31 days
Price Range
$200K–$900K
$125K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Bowie Town Center, Collington, Northview, Pointer Ridge
The Fan, Carytown, Church Hill, Scott's Addition
Schools
Bowie has a 75% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School. See Bowie schools | See Richmond schools
Bowie
MD
Richmond
VA
Avg Pass Rate
75%
67%
Public schools
Bowie High School, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Benjamin Tasker Middle School
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Open High School, Thomas Jefferson High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Richmond is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bowie (Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495), Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195).
Bowie
MD
Richmond
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~10 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-64, I-195, Rt 1, Rt 301
Commuter Rail
MARC (Penn Line)
None
Walkability
Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 50 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 22 in Bowie. Transit scores: Bowie (15) vs Richmond (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Bowie Town Center and The Fan score much higher than suburban areas.
Bowie
MD
Richmond
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
15
28
Bike Score
25
52
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Bowie and Richmond. 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
Richmond
VA
Reported Violent Crime
1.5/1K
5.8/1K
Reported Property Crime
16.2/1K
25.2/1K
MD
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Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowie or Richmond more affordable?
Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $390K, compared to $505K in Bowie (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. Richmond prices range from $125K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Bowie and Richmond?
Bowie public schools have a 75% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open 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 Richmond?
Richmond has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Bowie has no direct Metro access. Richmond has no direct Metro access.
How do Bowie and Richmond compare?
Bowie is one of the largest cities in Prince George's County, offering spacious homes, strong community programs, and convenient access to D. Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. 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.