City Comparison

Bowie vs Vienna: 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. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Bowie's median sold price is $501K with homes averaging 37 days on market; Vienna is at $1.1M and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Vienna is pricier ($1.1M median vs $501K), a difference of about $619K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 31 days on market compared to 37 in Bowie. Bowie offers a lower entry point at $200K–$900K.

Bowie

MD

Vienna

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$501K

$1.1M

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

37 days

31 days

Price Range

$200K–$900K

$500K–$2.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Bowie Town Center, Collington, Northview, Pointer Ridge

Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights

Schools

Bowie has a 75% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Bowie schools | See Vienna schools

Bowie

MD

Vienna

VA

Avg Pass Rate

75%

92%

Public schools

Bowie High School, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Benjamin Tasker Middle School

James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary

Pass Rate

75%
92%

Commute

Vienna is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Bowie (Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).

Bowie

MD

Vienna

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

N/A

Orange

Major Highways

Rt 50, Rt 301, I-495

I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

MARC (Penn Line)

None

Property Tax

On a $501K home in Bowie, you would pay ~$6,401/yr in property tax. In Vienna, a $1.1M home costs ~$12,432/yr. Vienna has the lower rate at $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Bowie

MD

Vienna

VA

Rate per $100

$1.278

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,401/yr

$12,432/yr

Notes

Prince George's County rate

Fairfax County rate; Town of Vienna adds $0.2275

Walkability

Vienna is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Bowie. Transit scores: Bowie (15) vs Vienna (30). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Bowie Town Center and Downtown Vienna score much higher than suburban areas.

Bowie

MD

Vienna

VA

Walk Score

22Almost All Errands Require a Car
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

30

Bike Score

25

48

Safety

Vienna is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 55% below Virginia average. Bowie is rated "Average" (5% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Bowie

MD

Vienna

VA

Safety Rating

Average
Very Safe

Violent Crime

1.5/1K

0.4/1K

Property Crime

16.2/1K

7.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

5% above Virginia average

55% below Virginia average

MD

Find agents in Bowie

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Bowie.

View agents

VA

Find agents in Vienna

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Vienna.

View agents

Decided between Bowie and Vienna? See how buying a home works on smover.

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bowie or Vienna more affordable?

Bowie is more affordable with a median sold price of $501K, compared to $1.1M in Vienna (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Bowie prices range from $200K–$900K. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Bowie and Vienna?

Bowie public schools have a 75% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bowie include Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Bowie or Vienna?

Vienna has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Bowie has no direct Metro access. Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

What are property taxes in Bowie vs Vienna?

Bowie has a property tax rate of $1.278 per $100 (~$6,401/yr on a $501K home). Vienna's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$12,432/yr on a $1.1M home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Bowie and Vienna compare?

Bowie is one of the largest cities in Prince George's County, offering spacious homes, strong community programs, and convenient access to D. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 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 August 2026.

Stay ahead of the market

Join buyers, sellers, and agents across Northern Virginia getting weekly market updates, new listings, and tips. Free, every Monday.

Trusted in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and 19 more cities

Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.

Take ownership of your move.

For buyers under contract: your agent confirms the milestones. smover keeps selected documents, confirmed dates, and factual updates in one shared view.

Bowie vs Vienna: Median $501K vs $1.1M (2026) | smover