Market Overview
Burke is pricier ($757K median vs $710K), a difference of about $47K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 23 in Herndon. Herndon offers a lower entry point at $175K–$2.2M.
Burke
VA
Herndon
VA
Median Price
$757K
$710K
Avg Days on Market
14 days
23 days
Price Range
$235K–$1.8M
$175K–$2.2M
Top Neighborhoods
Burke Centre, Burke Station Square, Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run
Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster
Schools
Burke leads on school quality with a 86% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 80% in Herndon. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Herndon, families look to Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. See Burke schools | See Herndon schools
Burke
VA
Herndon
VA
Quality Tier
Excellent
Strong
Avg Pass Rate
86%
80%
Top Schools
Lake Braddock Secondary School, Robinson Secondary School, White Oaks Elementary
Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary
Pass Rate
Commute
Herndon is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28).
Burke
VA
Herndon
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~35 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
2 Metro stations (nearest: Herndon)
Metro Lines
N/A
Silver
Major Highways
I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy
Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28
Commuter Rail
VRE (Burke Centre station)
None
Property Tax
On a $757K home in Burke, you would pay ~$8,403/yr in property tax. In Herndon, a $710K home costs ~$7,881/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.
Burke
VA
Herndon
VA
Rate per $100
$1.110
$1.110
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$8,403/yr
$7,881/yr
Notes
Fairfax County rate
Fairfax County rate; Town of Herndon adds $0.2650
Walkability
Herndon is more walkable with a Walk Score of 40 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Burke. Transit scores: Burke (15) vs Herndon (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Burke Centre and Herndon Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.
Burke
VA
Herndon
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
15
28
Bike Score
25
45
Safety
Burke is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 49% below Virginia average. Herndon is rated "Safe" (19% 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
Herndon
VA
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
0.5/1K
0.9/1K
Property Crime
8.2/1K
12.8/1K
vs Virginia Avg
49% below Virginia average
19% below Virginia average
VA
Find agents in Burke
Browse verified agents with real sales data in Burke.
View top agentsVA
Find agents in Herndon
Browse verified agents with real sales data in Herndon.
View top agentsRelated Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burke or Herndon more affordable?
Herndon is more affordable with a median home price of $710K, 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. Herndon prices range from $175K–$2.2M.
Which has better schools, Burke or Herndon?
Burke has stronger schools overall, with a 86% average pass rate compared to 80% in Herndon. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Herndon, standout schools include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.
Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Herndon?
Herndon has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon).
What are property taxes in Burke vs Herndon?
Burke has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$8,403/yr on a $757K home). Herndon's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
Is Burke or Herndon 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. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology 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.