City Comparison

Bristow vs Centreville: Which is right for your family?

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, family-friendly neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly 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

Centreville is pricier ($600K median vs $570K), a difference of about $30K. Both cities average 16 days on market. Bristow offers a lower entry point at $300K–$900K.

Bristow

VA

Centreville

VA

Median Price

$570K

$600K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

16 days

Price Range

$300K–$900K

$245K–$3.1M

Top Neighborhoods

Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall

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

Schools

Centreville leads on school quality with a 84% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 79% in Bristow. Top schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School. In Centreville, families look to Centreville High School and Westfield High School. See Bristow schools | See Centreville schools

Bristow

VA

Centreville

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

79%

84%

Top 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

Find agents in Bristow

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Bristow.

View top agents

VA

Find agents in Centreville

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Centreville.

View top agents

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Centreville more affordable?

Bristow is more affordable with a median home price of $570K, compared to $600K in Centreville. 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.

Which has better schools, Bristow or Centreville?

Centreville has stronger schools overall, with a 84% average pass rate compared to 79% in Bristow. Top schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School. In Centreville, standout schools include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

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.

Is Bristow or Centreville better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, family-friendly neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. The best choice depends on your priorities: budget, school quality, commute length, and neighborhood feel. smover can help you find a verified agent in either city who specializes in family-friendly neighborhoods.

Market data verified by smover using real transaction records. 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 March 2026.