Market Overview
Bristow's median sold price is $730K with homes averaging 19 days on market; Fairfax is at $767K and 25 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Fairfax is pricier ($767K median vs $730K), a difference of about $37K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 25 in Fairfax. Bristow offers a lower entry point at $300K–$900K.
Bristow
VA
Fairfax
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Jul 2026
$730K
$767K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Jul 2026
19 days
25 days
Price Range
$300K–$900K
$350K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall
Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills
Schools
Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. See Bristow schools | See Fairfax schools
Bristow
VA
Fairfax
VA
Avg Pass Rate
79%
87%
Public schools
Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary
Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech, Langley High School, McLean High School
Pass Rate
Commute
Fairfax is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Fairfax has 2 Metro stations, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Fairfax (I-66, I-495, Rt 50).
Bristow
VA
Fairfax
VA
Drive to Downtown
~50 min
~35 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
2 Metro stations (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)
Metro Lines
N/A
Orange
Major Highways
I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29
I-66, I-495, Rt 50, Rt 29
Commuter Rail
VRE (Manassas line)
None
Walkability
Fairfax is more walkable with a Walk Score of 35 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Fairfax (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Mantua score much higher than suburban areas.
Bristow
VA
Fairfax
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
8
28
Bike Score
12
42
Safety
Bristow is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 50% below Virginia average. Fairfax is rated "Safe" (35% 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
Fairfax
VA
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
0.6/1K
0.8/1K
Property Crime
7.9/1K
10.2/1K
vs Virginia Avg
50% below Virginia average
35% below Virginia average
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristow or Fairfax more affordable?
Bristow is more affordable with a median sold price of $730K, compared to $767K in Fairfax (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. Fairfax prices range from $350K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Bristow and Fairfax?
Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley 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 Fairfax?
Fairfax has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).
How do Bristow and Fairfax compare?
Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Fairfax combines public schools, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. 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 July 2026.