City Comparison

Bristow vs Burke: How they compare

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Bristow's median sold price is $719K with homes averaging 19 days on market; Burke is at $660K and 20 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Bristow is pricier ($719K median vs $660K), a difference of about $59K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 20 in Burke. Burke offers a lower entry point at $235K–$1.8M.

Bristow

VA

Burke

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$719K

$660K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

19 days

20 days

Price Range

$300K–$900K

$235K–$1.8M

Notable Neighborhoods

Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall

Burke Centre, Burke Station Square, Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run

Schools

Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Burke has 86% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Burke, Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. See Bristow schools | See Burke schools

Bristow

VA

Burke

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

86%

Public schools

Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary

Lake Braddock Secondary School, Robinson Secondary School, White Oaks Elementary

Pass Rate

79%
86%

Commute

Burke is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy).

Bristow

VA

Burke

VA

Drive to Downtown

~50 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy

Commuter Rail

VRE (Manassas line)

VRE (Burke Centre station)

Walkability

Burke is more walkable with a Walk Score of 22 (Almost All Errands Require a Car), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Burke (15). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Burke Centre score much higher than suburban areas.

Bristow

VA

Burke

VA

Walk Score

15Almost All Errands Require a Car
22Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

8

15

Bike Score

12

25

Safety

Burke is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 49% below Virginia average. Bristow is rated "Very Safe" (50% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Bristow

VA

Burke

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Very Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

0.5/1K

Property Crime

7.9/1K

8.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

50% below Virginia average

49% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Burke more affordable?

Burke is more affordable with a median sold price of $660K, compared to $719K in Bristow (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. Bristow prices range from $300K–$900K. Burke prices range from $235K–$1.8M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Bristow and Burke?

Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Burke has 86% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Burke, Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Bristow or Burke?

Burke has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Burke has no direct Metro access.

How do Bristow and Burke compare?

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. 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 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 August 2026.

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Bristow vs Burke: Median $719K vs $660K (2026) | smover