Market Overview
Vienna is pricier ($960K median vs $570K), a difference of about $390K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 12 days on market compared to 16 in Bristow. Bristow offers a lower entry point at $300K–$900K.
Bristow
VA
Vienna
VA
Median Price
$570K
$960K
Avg Days on Market
16 days
12 days
Price Range
$300K–$900K
$500K–$2.5M
Top Neighborhoods
Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall
Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights
Schools
Vienna leads on school quality with a 92% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 79% in Bristow. Top schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School. In Vienna, families look to James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Bristow schools | See Vienna schools
Bristow
VA
Vienna
VA
Quality Tier
Strong
Excellent
Avg Pass Rate
79%
92%
Top Schools
Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary
James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary
Pass Rate
Commute
Vienna is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).
Bristow
VA
Vienna
VA
Drive to Downtown
~50 min
~25 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)
Metro Lines
N/A
Orange
Major Highways
I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29
I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29
Commuter Rail
VRE (Manassas line)
None
Walkability
Vienna is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Vienna (30). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Downtown Vienna score much higher than suburban areas.
Bristow
VA
Vienna
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
8
30
Bike Score
12
48
Safety
Vienna is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 55% below Virginia average. Bristow is rated "Very Safe" (50% 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
Vienna
VA
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
0.6/1K
0.4/1K
Property Crime
7.9/1K
7.2/1K
vs Virginia Avg
50% below Virginia average
55% below Virginia average
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristow or Vienna more affordable?
Bristow is more affordable with a median home price of $570K, compared to $960K in Vienna. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Bristow prices range from $300K–$900K. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.
Which has better schools, Bristow or Vienna?
Vienna has stronger schools overall, with a 92% average pass rate compared to 79% in Bristow. Top schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School. In Vienna, standout schools include James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.
Which is easier to commute from, Bristow or Vienna?
Vienna has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).
Is Bristow or Vienna better for families?
Both cities are popular with families. Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, family-friendly neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. The best choice depends on your priorities: budget, school quality, commute length, and neighborhood feel. smover can help you find a verified agent in either city who specializes in family-friendly neighborhoods.
Market data verified by smover using real transaction records. 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 March 2026.