City Comparison

Bristow vs Dumfries: How they compare

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Bristow is pricier ($570K median vs $450K), a difference of about $120K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 20 in Dumfries. Dumfries offers a lower entry point at $200K–$750K.

Bristow

VA

Dumfries

VA

Median Price

$570K

$450K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

20 days

Price Range

$300K–$900K

$200K–$750K

Top Neighborhoods

Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall

Montclair, Potomac Club, Triangle, Cherry Hill

Schools

Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Dumfries has 71% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Dumfries, Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School. See Bristow schools | See Dumfries schools

Bristow

VA

Dumfries

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

71%

Public schools

Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary

Forest Park High School, Graham Park Middle School, Leesylvania Elementary

Pass Rate

79%
71%

Commute

Dumfries 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), Dumfries (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234).

Bristow

VA

Dumfries

VA

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 1, Rt 234

Commuter Rail

VRE (Manassas line)

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Dumfries more affordable?

Dumfries is more affordable with a median home price of $450K, compared to $570K in Bristow. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Bristow prices range from $300K–$900K. Dumfries prices range from $200K–$750K.

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

Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Dumfries has 71% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Dumfries, Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Bristow or Dumfries?

Dumfries has the shorter commute to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Dumfries has no direct Metro access.

How do Bristow and Dumfries compare?

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. 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.

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 June 2026.

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Bristow vs Dumfries: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover