City Comparison

Bristow vs Herndon: How they compare

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Bristow's median sold price is $730K with homes averaging 19 days on market; Herndon is at $700K and 26 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Bristow is pricier ($730K median vs $700K), a difference of about $30K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 26 in Herndon. Herndon offers a lower entry point at $175K–$2.2M.

Bristow

VA

Herndon

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$730K

$700K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

19 days

26 days

Price Range

$300K–$900K

$175K–$2.2M

Notable Neighborhoods

Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall

Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster

Schools

Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Herndon has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Herndon, Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. See Bristow schools | See Herndon schools

Bristow

VA

Herndon

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

80%

Public schools

Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary

Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary

Pass Rate

79%
80%

Commute

Herndon is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28).

Bristow

VA

Herndon

VA

Drive to Downtown

~50 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Herndon)

Metro Lines

N/A

Silver

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

VRE (Manassas line)

None

Walkability

Herndon is more walkable with a Walk Score of 40 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Herndon (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Herndon Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.

Bristow

VA

Herndon

VA

Walk Score

15Almost All Errands Require a Car
40Car-Dependent

Transit Score

8

28

Bike Score

12

45

Safety

Bristow is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 50% below Virginia average. Herndon is rated "Safe" (19% 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

Herndon

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

0.9/1K

Property Crime

7.9/1K

12.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

50% below Virginia average

19% below Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Herndon more affordable?

Herndon is more affordable with a median sold price of $700K, compared to $730K in Bristow (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. Herndon prices range from $175K–$2.2M.

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

Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Herndon has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Herndon, Herndon High School and Rachel Carson 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 Herndon?

Herndon has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon).

How do Bristow and Herndon compare?

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. 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.

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Bristow vs Herndon: Median $730K vs $700K (2026) | smover