Market Overview
Bristow's median sold price is $719K with homes averaging 19 days on market; Gaithersburg is at $515K and 34 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Bristow is pricier ($719K median vs $515K), a difference of about $204K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 34 in Gaithersburg. Gaithersburg offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1.2M.
Bristow
VA
Gaithersburg
MD
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$719K
$515K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
19 days
34 days
Price Range
$300K–$900K
$175K–$1.2M
Notable Neighborhoods
Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall
Kentlands, Lakelands, Quince Orchard, Washington Square
Schools
Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Gaithersburg has 76% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Gaithersburg, Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg High School. See Bristow schools | See Gaithersburg schools
Bristow
VA
Gaithersburg
MD
Avg Pass Rate
79%
76%
Public schools
Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary
Quince Orchard High School, Gaithersburg High School, Ridgeview Middle School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Gaithersburg is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Gaithersburg has 1 Metro station, including Shady Grove on the Red line. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Gaithersburg (I-270, I-370, Rt 355).
Bristow
VA
Gaithersburg
MD
Drive to Downtown
~50 min
~35 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
1 Metro station (nearest: Shady Grove)
Metro Lines
N/A
Red
Major Highways
I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29
I-270, I-370, Rt 355, Rt 28
Commuter Rail
VRE (Manassas line)
MARC (Brunswick Line)
Walkability
Gaithersburg is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Gaithersburg (32). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Kentlands score much higher than suburban areas.
Bristow
VA
Gaithersburg
MD
Walk Score
Transit Score
8
32
Bike Score
12
45
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Bristow and Gaithersburg. 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
Gaithersburg
MD
Reported Violent Crime
0.6/1K
1.3/1K
Reported Property Crime
7.9/1K
15.1/1K
VA
Search homes in Bristow
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesMD
Search homes in Gaithersburg
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesDecided between Bristow and Gaithersburg? See how buying a home works on smover.
Related Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristow or Gaithersburg more affordable?
Gaithersburg is more affordable with a median sold price of $515K, 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. Gaithersburg prices range from $175K–$1.2M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Bristow and Gaithersburg?
Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Gaithersburg has 76% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Gaithersburg, Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg 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 Gaithersburg?
Gaithersburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Gaithersburg has Metro access (Shady Grove).
How do Bristow and Gaithersburg compare?
Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Gaithersburg is a diverse city along the I-270 corridor in Montgomery County. 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.