City Comparison

Bristow vs Manassas: How they compare

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Bristow's median sold price is $719K with homes averaging 19 days on market; Manassas is at $548K and 29 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Bristow is pricier ($719K median vs $548K), a difference of about $171K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 29 in Manassas. Manassas offers a lower entry point at $60K–$1.9M.

Bristow

VA

Manassas

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$719K

$548K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

19 days

29 days

Price Range

$300K–$900K

$60K–$1.9M

Notable Neighborhoods

Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall

Old Town Manassas, Georgetown South, Signal Hill, Sudley

Schools

Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Manassas has 72% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Manassas, Osbourn High School and Metz Middle School. See Bristow schools | See Manassas schools

Bristow

VA

Manassas

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

72%

Public schools

Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary

Osbourn High School, Metz Middle School, Round Elementary

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Manassas is closer to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Manassas (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 234).

Bristow

VA

Manassas

VA

Drive to Downtown

~50 min

~45 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 234

Commuter Rail

VRE (Manassas line)

VRE (Manassas line)

Walkability

Manassas is more walkable with a Walk Score of 38 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Manassas (15). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Old Town Manassas score much higher than suburban areas.

Bristow

VA

Manassas

VA

Walk Score

15Almost All Errands Require a Car
38Car-Dependent

Transit Score

8

15

Bike Score

12

35

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Bristow and Manassas. 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

Manassas

VA

Reported Violent Crime

0.6/1K

1.8/1K

Reported Property Crime

7.9/1K

16.2/1K

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Manassas more affordable?

Manassas is more affordable with a median sold price of $548K, 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. Manassas prices range from $60K–$1.9M.

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

Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Manassas has 72% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Manassas, Osbourn High School and Metz 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 Manassas?

Manassas has the shorter commute to downtown at ~45 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Manassas has no direct Metro access.

How do Bristow and Manassas compare?

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. 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.

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