City Comparison

Bristow vs Centreville: How they compare

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Centreville offers spacious homes and residential neighborhoods at accessible price points. 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 $730K with homes averaging 19 days on market; Centreville is at $579K and 26 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Bristow is pricier ($730K median vs $579K), a difference of about $151K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 26 in Centreville. Centreville offers a lower entry point at $245K–$3.1M.

Bristow

VA

Centreville

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$730K

$579K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

19 days

26 days

Price Range

$300K–$900K

$245K–$3.1M

Notable Neighborhoods

Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall

Centre Ridge, Sully Station, Virginia Run, Little Rocky Run

Schools

Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Centreville has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Centreville, Centreville High School and Westfield High School. See Bristow schools | See Centreville schools

Bristow

VA

Centreville

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

84%

Public schools

Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

Pass Rate

79%
84%

Commute

Centreville is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29).

Bristow

VA

Centreville

VA

Drive to Downtown

~50 min

~40 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

VRE (Manassas line)

None

Walkability

Centreville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 25 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Centreville (15). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Centre Ridge score much higher than suburban areas.

Bristow

VA

Centreville

VA

Walk Score

15Almost All Errands Require a Car
25Car-Dependent

Transit Score

8

15

Bike Score

12

28

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% 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

Centreville

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Very Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

0.7/1K

Property Crime

7.9/1K

9.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

50% below Virginia average

42% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Centreville more affordable?

Centreville is more affordable with a median sold price of $579K, compared to $730K in Bristow (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. Bristow prices range from $300K–$900K. Centreville prices range from $245K–$3.1M.

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

Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Centreville has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Centreville, Centreville High School and Westfield High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Bristow or Centreville?

Centreville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Centreville has no direct Metro access.

How do Bristow and Centreville compare?

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Centreville offers spacious homes and residential neighborhoods at accessible price points. 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.

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Bristow vs Centreville: $730K vs $579K (2026) | smover