City Comparison

Burke vs Dumfries: Which is right for your family?

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park, top-rated schools, and tree-lined neighborhoods. Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Burke is pricier ($757K median vs $450K), a difference of about $307K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 20 in Dumfries. Dumfries offers a lower entry point at $200K–$750K.

Burke

VA

Dumfries

VA

Median Price

$757K

$450K

Avg Days on Market

14 days

20 days

Price Range

$235K–$1.8M

$200K–$750K

Top Neighborhoods

Burke Centre, Burke Station Square, Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run

Montclair, Potomac Club, Triangle, Cherry Hill

Schools

Burke leads on school quality with a 86% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 71% in Dumfries. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Dumfries, families look to Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School. See Burke schools | See Dumfries schools

Burke

VA

Dumfries

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

86%

71%

Top Schools

Lake Braddock Secondary School, Robinson Secondary School, White Oaks Elementary

Forest Park High School, Graham Park Middle School, Leesylvania Elementary

Pass Rate

86%
71%

Commute

Burke is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Dumfries (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234).

Burke

VA

Dumfries

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~45 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234

Commuter Rail

VRE (Burke Centre station)

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burke or Dumfries more affordable?

Dumfries is more affordable with a median home price of $450K, compared to $757K in Burke. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Burke prices range from $235K–$1.8M. Dumfries prices range from $200K–$750K.

Which has better schools, Burke or Dumfries?

Burke has stronger schools overall, with a 86% average pass rate compared to 71% in Dumfries. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Dumfries, standout schools include Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Dumfries?

Burke has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Dumfries has no direct Metro access.

Is Burke or Dumfries better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park, top-rated schools, and tree-lined neighborhoods. Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. 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.