City Comparison

Burke vs Leesburg: Which is right for your family?

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park, top-rated schools, and tree-lined neighborhoods. Leesburg blends colonial history with modern amenities. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Leesburg is pricier ($870K median vs $757K), a difference of about $113K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 22 in Leesburg. Burke offers a lower entry point at $235K–$1.8M.

Burke

VA

Leesburg

VA

Median Price

$757K

$870K

Avg Days on Market

14 days

22 days

Price Range

$235K–$1.8M

$150K–$5.8M

Top Neighborhoods

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

Lansdowne, Raspberry Falls, Beacon Hill, Edwards Ferry Road

Schools

Leesburg leads on school quality with a 88% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 86% in Burke. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Leesburg, families look to Tuscarora High School and Heritage High School. See Burke schools | See Leesburg schools

Burke

VA

Leesburg

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Excellent

Avg Pass Rate

86%

88%

Top Schools

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

Tuscarora High School, Heritage High School, Smart's Mill Middle School

Pass Rate

86%
88%

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), Leesburg (Rt 7, Rt 15, Dulles Greenway).

Burke

VA

Leesburg

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

Rt 7, Rt 15, Dulles Greenway

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 Leesburg, a $870K home costs ~$7,569/yr. Leesburg has the lower rate at $0.870 per $100 of assessed value.

Burke

VA

Leesburg

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$0.870

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$8,403/yr

$7,569/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Loudoun County rate; Town of Leesburg adds $0.165

Walkability

Leesburg is more walkable with a Walk Score of 38 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Burke. Transit scores: Burke (15) vs Leesburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Burke Centre and Lansdowne score much higher than suburban areas.

Burke

VA

Leesburg

VA

Walk Score

22Almost All Errands Require a Car
38Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

10

Bike Score

25

42

Safety

Leesburg is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 51% below Virginia average. Burke is rated "Very Safe" (49% 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

Leesburg

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Very Safe

Violent Crime

0.5/1K

0.5/1K

Property Crime

8.2/1K

7.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

49% below Virginia average

51% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burke or Leesburg more affordable?

Burke is more affordable with a median home price of $757K, compared to $870K in Leesburg. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Burke prices range from $235K–$1.8M. Leesburg prices range from $150K–$5.8M.

Which has better schools, Burke or Leesburg?

Leesburg has stronger schools overall, with a 88% average pass rate compared to 86% in Burke. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Leesburg, standout schools include Tuscarora High School and Heritage High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Leesburg?

Burke has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Leesburg has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Burke vs Leesburg?

Burke has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$8,403/yr on a $757K home). Leesburg's rate is $0.870 per $100 (~$7,569/yr on a $870K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Burke or Leesburg 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. Leesburg blends colonial history with modern amenities. 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.