City Comparison

Burke vs Fairfax: How they compare

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Fairfax combines public schools, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Burke's median sold price is $660K with homes averaging 19 days on market; Fairfax is at $767K and 25 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Fairfax is pricier ($767K median vs $660K), a difference of about $107K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 25 in Fairfax. Burke offers a lower entry point at $235K–$1.8M.

Burke

VA

Fairfax

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$660K

$767K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

19 days

25 days

Price Range

$235K–$1.8M

$350K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

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

Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills

Schools

Burke has a 86% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. See Burke schools | See Fairfax schools

Burke

VA

Fairfax

VA

Avg Pass Rate

86%

87%

Public schools

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

Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech, Langley High School, McLean High School

Pass Rate

86%
87%

Commute

Fairfax is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Fairfax has 2 Metro stations, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Fairfax (I-66, I-495, Rt 50).

Burke

VA

Fairfax

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

N/A

Orange

Major Highways

I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy

I-66, I-495, Rt 50, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

VRE (Burke Centre station)

None

Property Tax

On a $660K home in Burke, you would pay ~$7,326/yr in property tax. In Fairfax, a $767K home costs ~$8,514/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Burke

VA

Fairfax

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,326/yr

$8,514/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate; City of Fairfax is $1.075

Walkability

Fairfax is more walkable with a Walk Score of 35 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Burke. Transit scores: Burke (15) vs Fairfax (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Burke Centre and Mantua score much higher than suburban areas.

Burke

VA

Fairfax

VA

Walk Score

22Almost All Errands Require a Car
35Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

28

Bike Score

25

42

Safety

Burke is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 49% below Virginia average. Fairfax is rated "Safe" (35% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Burke

VA

Fairfax

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.5/1K

0.8/1K

Property Crime

8.2/1K

10.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

49% below Virginia average

35% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burke or Fairfax more affordable?

Burke is more affordable with a median sold price of $660K, compared to $767K in Fairfax (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. Burke prices range from $235K–$1.8M. Fairfax prices range from $350K–$1.5M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Burke and Fairfax?

Burke public schools have a 86% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Fairfax?

Fairfax has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

What are property taxes in Burke vs Fairfax?

Burke has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,326/yr on a $660K home). Fairfax's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$8,514/yr on a $767K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Burke and Fairfax compare?

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Fairfax combines public schools, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. 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 August 2026.

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Burke vs Fairfax: Median $660K vs $767K (2026) | smover