Market Overview
Bristow's median sold price is $719K with homes averaging 19 days on market; Rockville is at $647K and 32 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Bristow is pricier ($719K median vs $647K), a difference of about $72K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 32 in Rockville. Rockville offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1.8M.
Bristow
VA
Rockville
MD
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$719K
$647K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
19 days
32 days
Price Range
$300K–$900K
$200K–$1.8M
Notable Neighborhoods
Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall
Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove
Schools
Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Bristow schools | See Rockville schools
Bristow
VA
Rockville
MD
Avg Pass Rate
79%
85%
Public schools
Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary
Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School
Pass Rate
Commute
Rockville is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355).
Bristow
VA
Rockville
MD
Drive to Downtown
~50 min
~30 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)
Metro Lines
N/A
Red
Major Highways
I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29
I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28
Commuter Rail
VRE (Manassas line)
MARC (Brunswick Line)
Walkability
Rockville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Rockville (42). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Rockville Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.
Bristow
VA
Rockville
MD
Walk Score
Transit Score
8
42
Bike Score
12
55
Safety
Bristow is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 50% below Virginia average. Rockville is rated "Average" (9% 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
Rockville
MD
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
0.6/1K
1.1/1K
Property Crime
7.9/1K
14.2/1K
vs Virginia Avg
50% below Virginia average
9% below Virginia average
VA
Find agents in Bristow
Browse verified agents with real sales data in Bristow.
View agentsMD
Find agents in Rockville
Browse verified agents with real sales data in Rockville.
View agentsDecided between Bristow and Rockville? See how buying a home works on smover.
Related Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristow or Rockville more affordable?
Rockville is more affordable with a median sold price of $647K, 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. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Bristow and Rockville?
Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton 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 Rockville?
Rockville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Rockville has Metro access (Rockville).
How do Bristow and Rockville compare?
Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. 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 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 August 2026.