City Comparison

Bristow vs Henrico: Which is right for your family?

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, family-friendly neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Henrico County is a major Richmond suburb offering diverse neighborhoods from the urban-adjacent West End to the rural eastern reaches. 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 $370K), a difference of about $200K. Both cities average 16 days on market. Henrico offers a lower entry point at $150K–$1.2M.

Bristow

VA

Henrico

VA

Median Price

$570K

$370K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

16 days

Price Range

$300K–$900K

$150K–$1.2M

Top Neighborhoods

Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall

Short Pump, Glen Allen, West End, Innsbrook

Schools

Bristow leads on school quality with a 79% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 78% in Henrico. Top schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School. In Henrico, families look to Deep Run High School and Glen Allen High School. See Bristow schools | See Henrico schools

Bristow

VA

Henrico

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

79%

78%

Top Schools

Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary

Deep Run High School, Glen Allen High School, Mills Godwin High School

Pass Rate

79%
78%

Commute

Henrico is closer to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Henrico (I-64, I-95, I-295).

Bristow

VA

Henrico

VA

Drive to Downtown

~50 min

~15 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-64, I-95, I-295, Rt 250, Rt 33

Commuter Rail

VRE (Manassas line)

None

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Henrico more affordable?

Henrico is more affordable with a median home price of $370K, 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. Henrico prices range from $150K–$1.2M.

Which has better schools, Bristow or Henrico?

Bristow has stronger schools overall, with a 79% average pass rate compared to 78% in Henrico. Top schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School. In Henrico, standout schools include Deep Run High School and Glen Allen High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Bristow or Henrico?

Henrico has the shorter commute to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Henrico has no direct Metro access.

Is Bristow or Henrico better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, family-friendly neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Henrico County is a major Richmond suburb offering diverse neighborhoods from the urban-adjacent West End to the rural eastern reaches. The best choice depends on your priorities: budget, school quality, commute length, and neighborhood feel. smover can help you find a verified agent in either city who specializes in family-friendly neighborhoods.

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 March 2026.