City Comparison

Burke vs Harrisonburg: How they compare

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Harrisonburg is a vibrant college city in the Shenandoah Valley, home to James Madison University. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Burke is pricier ($757K median vs $300K), a difference of about $457K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 24 in Harrisonburg. Harrisonburg offers a lower entry point at $150K–$600K.

Burke

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Median Price

$757K

$300K

Avg Days on Market

14 days

24 days

Price Range

$235K–$1.8M

$150K–$600K

Top Neighborhoods

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

Downtown, Old Town, Massanetta Springs, Stone Spring

Schools

Burke has a 86% average SOL pass rate; Harrisonburg has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg High School and Thomas Harrison Middle School. See Burke schools | See Harrisonburg schools

Burke

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

86%

74%

Public schools

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

Harrisonburg High School, Thomas Harrison Middle School, Skyline Middle School

Pass Rate

86%
74%

Commute

Harrisonburg is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Harrisonburg (I-81, Rt 33, Rt 11).

Burke

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~10 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-81, Rt 33, Rt 11, Rt 42

Commuter Rail

VRE (Burke Centre station)

None

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burke or Harrisonburg more affordable?

Harrisonburg is more affordable with a median home price of $300K, 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. Harrisonburg prices range from $150K–$600K.

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

Burke public schools have a 86% average SOL pass rate; Harrisonburg has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg High School and Thomas Harrison Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Harrisonburg?

Harrisonburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Harrisonburg has no direct Metro access.

How do Burke and Harrisonburg compare?

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Harrisonburg is a vibrant college city in the Shenandoah Valley, home to James Madison University. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

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 June 2026.

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Burke vs Harrisonburg: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover