City Comparison

Bristow vs Williamsburg: How they compare

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Bristow is pricier ($570K median vs $370K), a difference of about $200K. Bristow moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 28 in Williamsburg. Williamsburg offers a lower entry point at $150K–$1.5M.

Bristow

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Median Price

$570K

$370K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

28 days

Price Range

$300K–$900K

$150K–$1.5M

Top Neighborhoods

Kingsbrooke, Victory Lakes, Braemar, Linton Hall

Colonial Williamsburg, Kingsmill, New Town, Ford's Colony

Schools

Bristow has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill High School. See Bristow schools | See Williamsburg schools

Bristow

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

84%

Public schools

Patriot High School, Marsteller Middle School, Bristow Run Elementary

Lafayette High School, Warhill High School, Berkeley Middle School

Pass Rate

79%
84%

Commute

Williamsburg is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Bristow (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Williamsburg (I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199).

Bristow

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~50 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199

Commuter Rail

VRE (Manassas line)

None

Walkability

Williamsburg is more walkable with a Walk Score of 35 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Bristow. Transit scores: Bristow (8) vs Williamsburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kingsbrooke and Colonial Williamsburg score much higher than suburban areas.

Bristow

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Walk Score

15Almost All Errands Require a Car
35Car-Dependent

Transit Score

8

10

Bike Score

12

42

Safety

Bristow is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 50% below Virginia average. Williamsburg is rated "Average" (Near 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

Williamsburg

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Average

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

1.2/1K

Property Crime

7.9/1K

15.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

50% below Virginia average

Near Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristow or Williamsburg more affordable?

Williamsburg is more affordable with a median home price of $370K, compared to $570K in Bristow. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Bristow prices range from $300K–$900K. Williamsburg prices range from $150K–$1.5M.

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

Bristow public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Bristow include Patriot High School and Marsteller Middle School; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill 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 Williamsburg?

Williamsburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Bristow has no direct Metro access. Williamsburg has no direct Metro access.

How do Bristow and Williamsburg compare?

Bristow is a growing community in Prince William County offering spacious newer homes, residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-66. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. 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.

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 June 2026.

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Bristow vs Williamsburg: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover