Market Overview
Burke's median sold price is $660K with homes averaging 20 days on market; Gainesville is at $720K and 27 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Gainesville is pricier ($720K median vs $660K), a difference of about $60K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 20 days on market compared to 27 in Gainesville. Burke offers a lower entry point at $235K–$1.8M.
Burke
VA
Gainesville
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$660K
$720K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
20 days
27 days
Price Range
$235K–$1.8M
$350K–$1.2M
Notable Neighborhoods
Burke Centre, Burke Station Square, Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run
Heritage Hunt, Virginia Oaks, Dominion Valley, Braemar
Schools
Burke has a 86% average SOL pass rate; Gainesville has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Gainesville, Gainesville High School and Battlefield High School. See Burke schools | See Gainesville schools
Burke
VA
Gainesville
VA
Avg Pass Rate
86%
80%
Public schools
Lake Braddock Secondary School, Robinson Secondary School, White Oaks Elementary
Gainesville High School, Battlefield High School, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle 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 ~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
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Burke and Gainesville. 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
Gainesville
VA
Reported Violent Crime
0.5/1K
0.7/1K
Reported Property Crime
8.2/1K
8.5/1K
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burke or Gainesville more affordable?
Burke is more affordable with a median sold price of $660K, compared to $720K in Gainesville (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. Gainesville prices range from $350K–$1.2M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Burke and Gainesville?
Burke public schools have a 86% average SOL pass rate; Gainesville has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Gainesville, Gainesville High School and Battlefield 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 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.
How do Burke and Gainesville compare?
Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Gainesville is a booming community in western Prince William County along the I-66 corridor. 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.