City Comparison

Bristow vs Spotsylvania: How they compare

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Spotsylvania County combines historic battlefields with modern neighborhoods. 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; Spotsylvania is at $500K and 42 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Bristow is pricier ($719K median vs $500K), a difference of about $219K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 42 in Spotsylvania. Spotsylvania offers a lower entry point at $130K–$3M.

Bristow

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$719K

$500K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

19 days

42 days

Price Range

$300K–$900K

$130K–$3M

Notable Neighborhoods

Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall

Lee Hill, Lees Parke, Crossroads, Thorngate

Schools

Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Spotsylvania has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Spotsylvania, Riverbend High School and Courtland High School. See Bristow schools | See Spotsylvania schools

Bristow

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

74%

Public schools

Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary

Riverbend High School, Courtland High School, Chancellor High School

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

Commute

Bristow is closer to downtown at ~50 minutes vs ~70 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Spotsylvania (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3).

Bristow

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Drive to Downtown

~50 min

~70 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3

Commuter Rail

VRE (Manassas line)

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Walkability

Bristow is more walkable with a Walk Score of 15 (Almost All Errands Require a Car), compared to 14 in Spotsylvania. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Spotsylvania (6). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Lee Hill score much higher than suburban areas.

Bristow

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Walk Score

15Almost All Errands Require a Car
14Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

8

6

Bike Score

12

15

Reported Crime Data

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

Spotsylvania

VA

Reported Violent Crime

0.6/1K

1.1/1K

Reported Property Crime

7.9/1K

12.3/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Spotsylvania more affordable?

Spotsylvania is more affordable with a median sold price of $500K, 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. Spotsylvania prices range from $130K–$3M.

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

Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Spotsylvania has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Spotsylvania, Riverbend High School and Courtland 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 Spotsylvania?

Bristow has the shorter commute to downtown at ~50 minutes vs ~70 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Spotsylvania has no direct Metro access.

How do Bristow and Spotsylvania compare?

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Spotsylvania County combines historic battlefields with modern neighborhoods. 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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