Market Overview
Burke is pricier ($757K median vs $640K), a difference of about $117K. Both cities average 14 days on market. Fairfax offers a lower entry point at $350K–$1.5M.
Burke
VA
Fairfax
VA
Median Price
$757K
$640K
Avg Days on Market
14 days
14 days
Price Range
$235K–$1.8M
$350K–$1.5M
Top Neighborhoods
Burke Centre, Burke Station Square, Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run
Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills
Schools
Fairfax leads on school quality with a 87% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 86% in Burke. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Fairfax, families look to Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. See Burke schools | See Fairfax schools
Burke
VA
Fairfax
VA
Quality Tier
Excellent
Excellent
Avg Pass Rate
86%
87%
Top 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
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 $757K home in Burke, you would pay ~$8,403/yr in property tax. In Fairfax, a $640K home costs ~$7,104/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
$8,403/yr
$7,104/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
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
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?
Fairfax is more affordable with a median home price of $640K, 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. Fairfax prices range from $350K–$1.5M.
Which has better schools, Burke or Fairfax?
Fairfax has stronger schools overall, with a 87% average pass rate compared to 86% in Burke. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Fairfax, standout schools include Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.
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 (~$8,403/yr on a $757K home). Fairfax's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,104/yr on a $640K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
Is Burke or Fairfax 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. Fairfax combines excellent schools, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. 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.