Market Overview
Bristow's median sold price is $719K with homes averaging 19 days on market; Columbia is at $485K and 24 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Bristow is pricier ($719K median vs $485K), a difference of about $234K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 24 in Columbia. Columbia offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1.2M.
Bristow
VA
Columbia
MD
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$719K
$485K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
19 days
24 days
Price Range
$300K–$900K
$200K–$1.2M
Notable Neighborhoods
Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall
Wilde Lake, Kings Contrivance, River Hill, Long Reach
Schools
Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Columbia has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Columbia, Wilde Lake High School and Atholton High School. See Bristow schools | See Columbia schools
Bristow
VA
Columbia
MD
Avg Pass Rate
79%
87%
Public schools
Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary
Wilde Lake High School, Atholton High School, Hammond High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Columbia is closer to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Columbia (I-95, Rt 29, Rt 175).
Bristow
VA
Columbia
MD
Drive to Downtown
~50 min
~45 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
No Metro access
Metro Lines
N/A
N/A
Major Highways
I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29
I-95, Rt 29, Rt 175, Rt 32
Commuter Rail
VRE (Manassas line)
None
Walkability
Columbia is more walkable with a Walk Score of 35 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Columbia (18). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Wilde Lake score much higher than suburban areas.
Bristow
VA
Columbia
MD
Walk Score
Transit Score
8
18
Bike Score
12
42
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Bristow and Columbia. 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.
Bristow
VA
Columbia
MD
Reported Violent Crime
0.6/1K
1/1K
Reported Property Crime
7.9/1K
12.8/1K
VA
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Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristow or Columbia more affordable?
Columbia is more affordable with a median sold price of $485K, 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. Columbia prices range from $200K–$1.2M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Bristow and Columbia?
Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Columbia has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Columbia, Wilde Lake High School and Atholton 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 Columbia?
Columbia has the shorter commute to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Columbia has no direct Metro access.
How do Bristow and Columbia compare?
Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Columbia is a master-planned community in Howard County, known for its village system, lakefront areas, extensive trails, and central Maryland location. 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.