Market Overview
Burke is pricier ($757K median vs $650K), a difference of about $107K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 16 in Gainesville. Gainesville offers a lower entry point at $350K–$1.2M.
Burke
VA
Gainesville
VA
Median Price
$757K
$650K
Avg Days on Market
14 days
16 days
Price Range
$235K–$1.8M
$350K–$1.2M
Top Neighborhoods
Burke Centre, Burke Station Square, Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run
Heritage Hunt, Virginia Oaks, Dominion Valley, Braemar
Schools
Burke leads on school quality with a 86% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 80% in Gainesville. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Gainesville, families look to Gainesville High School and Battlefield High School. See Burke schools | See Gainesville schools
Burke
VA
Gainesville
VA
Quality Tier
Excellent
Strong
Avg Pass Rate
86%
80%
Top Schools
Lake Braddock Secondary School, Robinson Secondary School, White Oaks Elementary
Gainesville High School, Battlefield High School, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School
Pass Rate
Commute
Burke is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Gainesville (I-66, Rt 29, Rt 55).
Burke
VA
Gainesville
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~50 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-66, Rt 29, Rt 55
Commuter Rail
VRE (Burke Centre station)
VRE (Manassas line)
Walkability
Burke is more walkable with a Walk Score of 22 (Almost All Errands Require a Car), compared to 18 in Gainesville. Transit scores: Burke (15) vs Gainesville (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Burke Centre and Heritage Hunt score much higher than suburban areas.
Burke
VA
Gainesville
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
15
8
Bike Score
25
15
Safety
Gainesville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 46% below Virginia average. Burke is rated "Very Safe" (49% 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
Gainesville
VA
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
0.5/1K
0.7/1K
Property Crime
8.2/1K
8.5/1K
vs Virginia Avg
49% below Virginia average
46% below Virginia average
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burke or Gainesville more affordable?
Gainesville is more affordable with a median home price of $650K, 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. Gainesville prices range from $350K–$1.2M.
Which has better schools, Burke or Gainesville?
Burke has stronger schools overall, with a 86% average pass rate compared to 80% in Gainesville. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Gainesville, standout schools include Gainesville High School and Battlefield High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.
Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Gainesville?
Burke has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Gainesville has no direct Metro access.
Is Burke or Gainesville 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. Gainesville is a booming community in western Prince William County along the I-66 corridor. 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.