City Comparison

Bristow vs Rockville: How they 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. 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; Rockville is at $641K and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Bristow is pricier ($730K median vs $641K), a difference of about $89K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 31 in Rockville. Rockville offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1.8M.

Bristow

VA

Rockville

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$730K

$641K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

19 days

31 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

79%
85%

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

15Almost All Errands Require a Car
52Somewhat Walkable

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

Very Safe
Average

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

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MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Rockville more affordable?

Rockville is more affordable with a median sold price of $641K, 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. 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 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 August 2026.

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Bristow vs Rockville: Median $730K vs $641K (2026) | smover