Market Overview
Bowie's median sold price is $505K with homes averaging 38 days on market; Stafford is at $545K and 37 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Stafford is pricier ($545K median vs $505K), a difference of about $40K. Stafford moves faster, with homes averaging 37 days on market compared to 38 in Bowie. Bowie offers a lower entry point at $200K–$900K.
Bowie
MD
Stafford
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$505K
$545K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
38 days
37 days
Price Range
$200K–$900K
$108K–$1.3M
Notable Neighborhoods
Bowie Town Center, Collington, Northview, Pointer Ridge
Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek
Schools
Bowie has a 75% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. See Bowie schools | See Stafford schools
Bowie
MD
Stafford
VA
Avg Pass Rate
75%
77%
Public schools
Bowie High School, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Benjamin Tasker Middle School
North Stafford High School, Mountain View High School, Stafford High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Bowie is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bowie (Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495), Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610).
Bowie
MD
Stafford
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~55 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 610
Commuter Rail
MARC (Penn Line)
VRE (Fredericksburg line)
Property Tax
On a $505K home in Bowie, you would pay ~$6,454/yr in property tax. In Stafford, a $545K home costs ~$5,717/yr. Stafford has the lower rate at $1.049 per $100 of assessed value.
Bowie
MD
Stafford
VA
Rate per $100
$1.278
$1.049
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$6,454/yr
$5,717/yr
Notes
Prince George's County rate
None
Walkability
Bowie is more walkable with a Walk Score of 22 (Almost All Errands Require a Car), compared to 15 in Stafford. Transit scores: Bowie (15) vs Stafford (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Bowie Town Center and Aquia Harbour score much higher than suburban areas.
Bowie
MD
Stafford
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
15
8
Bike Score
25
18
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Bowie and Stafford. 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
Stafford
VA
Reported Violent Crime
1.5/1K
0.9/1K
Reported Property Crime
16.2/1K
10.8/1K
MD
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowie or Stafford more affordable?
Bowie is more affordable with a median sold price of $505K, compared to $545K in Stafford (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. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Bowie and Stafford?
Bowie public schools have a 75% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View 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 Stafford?
Bowie has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Bowie has no direct Metro access. Stafford has no direct Metro access.
What are property taxes in Bowie vs Stafford?
Bowie has a property tax rate of $1.278 per $100 (~$6,454/yr on a $505K home). Stafford's rate is $1.049 per $100 (~$5,717/yr on a $545K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
How do Bowie and Stafford compare?
Bowie is one of the largest cities in Prince George's County, offering spacious homes, strong community programs, and convenient access to D. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. 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.