City Comparison

Bristow vs Springfield: How they compare

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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; Springfield is at $690K and 22 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Bristow is pricier ($730K median vs $690K), a difference of about $40K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 22 in Springfield. Springfield offers a lower entry point at $210K–$1.7M.

Bristow

VA

Springfield

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$730K

$690K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

19 days

22 days

Price Range

$300K–$900K

$210K–$1.7M

Notable Neighborhoods

Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Bristow schools | See Springfield schools

Bristow

VA

Springfield

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

82%

Public schools

Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving Middle School

Pass Rate

79%
82%

Commute

Springfield is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Bristow

VA

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~50 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

N/A

Blue

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

Commuter Rail

VRE (Manassas line)

None

Walkability

Springfield is more walkable with a Walk Score of 32 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Bristow

VA

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

15Almost All Errands Require a Car
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

8

28

Bike Score

12

38

Safety

Bristow is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 50% below Virginia average. Springfield is rated "Safe" (36% 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

Springfield

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

0.7/1K

Property Crime

7.9/1K

10.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

50% below Virginia average

36% below Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Springfield more affordable?

Springfield is more affordable with a median sold price of $690K, 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. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

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

Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee 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 Springfield?

Springfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield).

How do Bristow and Springfield compare?

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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 Springfield: $730K vs $690K (2026) | smover