City Comparison

Burke vs Herndon: How they compare

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. 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 $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 has a 86% average SOL pass rate; Herndon has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Herndon, Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. See Burke schools | See Herndon schools

Burke

VA

Herndon

VA

Avg Pass Rate

86%

80%

Public schools

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

Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary

Pass Rate

86%
80%

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

22Almost All Errands Require a Car
40Car-Dependent

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

Very Safe
Safe

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

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VA

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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.

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

Burke public schools have a 86% average SOL pass rate; Herndon has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Herndon, Herndon High School and Rachel Carson 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 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.

How do Burke and Herndon compare?

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. 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 Herndon: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover