City Comparison

Burke vs Frederick: How they compare

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Burke's median sold price is $660K with homes averaging 20 days on market; Frederick is at $450K and 35 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Burke is pricier ($660K median vs $450K), a difference of about $210K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 20 days on market compared to 35 in Frederick. Frederick offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1M.

Burke

VA

Frederick

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$660K

$450K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

20 days

35 days

Price Range

$235K–$1.8M

$200K–$1M

Notable Neighborhoods

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

Downtown Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Urbana, Spring Ridge

Schools

Burke has a 86% average SOL pass rate; Frederick has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Frederick, Urbana High School and Oakdale High School. See Burke schools | See Frederick schools

Burke

VA

Frederick

MD

Avg Pass Rate

86%

79%

Public schools

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

Urbana High School, Oakdale High School, Gov. Thomas Johnson High School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Burke is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Frederick (I-70, I-270, Rt 15).

Burke

VA

Frederick

MD

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~60 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-70, I-270, Rt 15, Rt 340

Commuter Rail

VRE (Burke Centre station)

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Walkability

Frederick is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Burke. Transit scores: Burke (15) vs Frederick (12). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Burke Centre and Downtown Frederick score much higher than suburban areas.

Burke

VA

Frederick

MD

Walk Score

22Almost All Errands Require a Car
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

12

Bike Score

25

45

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Burke and Frederick. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.

Burke

VA

Frederick

MD

Reported Violent Crime

0.5/1K

1.5/1K

Reported Property Crime

8.2/1K

16.8/1K

VA

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MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burke or Frederick more affordable?

Frederick is more affordable with a median sold price of $450K, compared to $660K in Burke (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 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. Frederick prices range from $200K–$1M.

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

Burke public schools have a 86% average SOL pass rate; Frederick has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Frederick, Urbana High School and Oakdale 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 Frederick?

Burke has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Frederick has no direct Metro access.

How do Burke and Frederick compare?

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 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 September 2026.

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