Market Overview
Bowie's median sold price is $505K with homes averaging 38 days on market; Rockville is at $647K and 32 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Rockville is pricier ($647K median vs $505K), a difference of about $142K. Rockville moves faster, with homes averaging 32 days on market compared to 38 in Bowie. Bowie offers a lower entry point at $200K–$900K.
Bowie
MD
Rockville
MD
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$505K
$647K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
38 days
32 days
Price Range
$200K–$900K
$200K–$1.8M
Notable Neighborhoods
Bowie Town Center, Collington, Northview, Pointer Ridge
Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove
Schools
Bowie has a 75% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Bowie schools | See Rockville schools
Bowie
MD
Rockville
MD
Avg Pass Rate
75%
85%
Public schools
Bowie High School, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Benjamin Tasker Middle School
Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Rockville is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Major highway access: Bowie (Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495), Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355).
Bowie
MD
Rockville
MD
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~30 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)
Metro Lines
N/A
Red
Major Highways
Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495
I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28
Commuter Rail
MARC (Penn Line)
MARC (Brunswick Line)
Property Tax
On a $505K home in Bowie, you would pay ~$6,454/yr in property tax. In Rockville, a $647K home costs ~$6,393/yr. Rockville has the lower rate at $0.988 per $100 of assessed value.
Bowie
MD
Rockville
MD
Rate per $100
$1.278
$0.988
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$6,454/yr
$6,393/yr
Notes
Prince George's County rate
Montgomery County rate; City of Rockville adds $0.328
Walkability
Rockville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 22 in Bowie. Transit scores: Bowie (15) vs Rockville (42). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Bowie Town Center and Rockville Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.
Bowie
MD
Rockville
MD
Walk Score
Transit Score
15
42
Bike Score
25
55
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Bowie and Rockville. 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
Rockville
MD
Reported Violent Crime
1.5/1K
1.1/1K
Reported Property Crime
16.2/1K
14.2/1K
MD
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowie or Rockville more affordable?
Bowie is more affordable with a median sold price of $505K, compared to $647K in Rockville (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. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Bowie and Rockville?
Bowie public schools have a 75% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton 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 Rockville?
Rockville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Bowie has no direct Metro access. Rockville has Metro access (Rockville).
What are property taxes in Bowie vs Rockville?
Bowie has a property tax rate of $1.278 per $100 (~$6,454/yr on a $505K home). Rockville's rate is $0.988 per $100 (~$6,393/yr on a $647K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
How do Bowie and Rockville compare?
Bowie is one of the largest cities in Prince George's County, offering spacious homes, strong community programs, and convenient access to D. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. 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.