Market Overview
Bristow's median sold price is $719K with homes averaging 19 days on market; Germantown is at $430K and 33 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Bristow is pricier ($719K median vs $430K), a difference of about $289K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 33 in Germantown. Germantown offers a lower entry point at $175K–$850K.
Bristow
VA
Germantown
MD
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$719K
$430K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
19 days
33 days
Price Range
$300K–$900K
$175K–$850K
Notable Neighborhoods
Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall
Churchill Village, Clopper's Mill, Gunners Lake, Kings Valley
Schools
Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Germantown has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Germantown, Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School. See Bristow schools | See Germantown schools
Bristow
VA
Germantown
MD
Avg Pass Rate
79%
78%
Public schools
Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary
Northwest High School, Seneca Valley High School, Roberto Clemente Middle School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Germantown 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), Germantown (I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355).
Bristow
VA
Germantown
MD
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-270, Rt 118, Rt 355
Commuter Rail
VRE (Manassas line)
MARC (Brunswick Line)
Walkability
Germantown is more walkable with a Walk Score of 28 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Germantown (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Churchill Village score much higher than suburban areas.
Bristow
VA
Germantown
MD
Walk Score
Transit Score
8
22
Bike Score
12
32
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Bristow and Germantown. 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
Germantown
MD
Reported Violent Crime
0.6/1K
1/1K
Reported Property Crime
7.9/1K
12.5/1K
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristow or Germantown more affordable?
Germantown is more affordable with a median sold price of $430K, 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. Germantown prices range from $175K–$850K.
What are the public-school pass rates in Bristow and Germantown?
Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Germantown has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Germantown, Northwest High School and Seneca Valley 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 Germantown?
Germantown has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Germantown has no direct Metro access.
How do Bristow and Germantown compare?
Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, with a range of home prices, retail, parks, and access to the I-270 corridor. 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.