Market Overview
Burke's median sold price is $660K with homes averaging 20 days on market; Germantown is at $430K and 33 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Burke is pricier ($660K median vs $430K), a difference of about $230K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 20 days on market compared to 33 in Germantown. Germantown offers a lower entry point at $175K–$850K.
Burke
VA
Germantown
MD
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$660K
$430K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
20 days
33 days
Price Range
$235K–$1.8M
$175K–$850K
Notable Neighborhoods
Burke Centre, Burke Station Square, Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run
Churchill Village, Clopper's Mill, Gunners Lake, Kings Valley
Schools
Burke has a 86% average SOL pass rate; Germantown has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Germantown, Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School. See Burke schools | See Germantown schools
Burke
VA
Germantown
MD
Avg Pass Rate
86%
78%
Public schools
Lake Braddock Secondary School, Robinson Secondary School, White Oaks Elementary
Northwest High School, Seneca Valley High School, Roberto Clemente 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 ~40 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Germantown (I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355).
Burke
VA
Germantown
MD
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~40 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-270, Rt 118, Rt 355
Commuter Rail
VRE (Burke Centre station)
MARC (Brunswick Line)
Walkability
Germantown is more walkable with a Walk Score of 28 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Burke. Transit scores: Burke (15) vs Germantown (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Burke Centre and Churchill Village score much higher than suburban areas.
Burke
VA
Germantown
MD
Walk Score
Transit Score
15
22
Bike Score
25
32
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Burke and Germantown. 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
Germantown
MD
Reported Violent Crime
0.5/1K
1/1K
Reported Property Crime
8.2/1K
12.5/1K
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burke or Germantown more affordable?
Germantown is more affordable with a median sold price of $430K, 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. Germantown prices range from $175K–$850K.
What are the public-school pass rates in Burke and Germantown?
Burke public schools have a 86% average SOL pass rate; Germantown has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Germantown, Northwest High School and Seneca Valley 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 Germantown?
Burke has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Germantown has no direct Metro access.
How do Burke and Germantown compare?
Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, with a range of home prices, retail, parks, and access to the I-270 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.