City Comparison

Burke vs Manassas: 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. Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. 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 $568K), a difference of about $189K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 22 in Manassas. Manassas offers a lower entry point at $60K–$1.9M.

Burke

VA

Manassas

VA

Median Price

$757K

$568K

Avg Days on Market

14 days

22 days

Price Range

$235K–$1.8M

$60K–$1.9M

Top Neighborhoods

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

Old Town Manassas, Georgetown South, Signal Hill, Sudley

Schools

Burke leads on school quality with a 86% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 72% in Manassas. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Manassas, families look to Osbourn High School and Metz Middle School. See Burke schools | See Manassas schools

Burke

VA

Manassas

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

86%

72%

Top Schools

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

Osbourn High School, Metz Middle School, Round Elementary

Pass Rate

86%
72%

Commute

Burke is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Manassas (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 234).

Burke

VA

Manassas

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~45 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-66, Rt 28, Rt 234

Commuter Rail

VRE (Burke Centre station)

VRE (Manassas line)

Property Tax

On a $757K home in Burke, you would pay ~$8,403/yr in property tax. In Manassas, a $568K home costs ~$6,839/yr. Burke has the lower rate at $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Burke

VA

Manassas

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.204

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$8,403/yr

$6,839/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

None

Walkability

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

Burke

VA

Manassas

VA

Walk Score

22Almost All Errands Require a Car
38Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

15

Bike Score

25

35

Safety

Burke is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 49% below Virginia average. Manassas is rated "Average" (7% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Burke

VA

Manassas

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Average

Violent Crime

0.5/1K

1.8/1K

Property Crime

8.2/1K

16.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

49% below Virginia average

7% above Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burke or Manassas more affordable?

Manassas is more affordable with a median home price of $568K, 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. Manassas prices range from $60K–$1.9M.

Which has better schools, Burke or Manassas?

Burke has stronger schools overall, with a 86% average pass rate compared to 72% in Manassas. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Manassas, standout schools include Osbourn High School and Metz Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Manassas?

Burke has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Manassas has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Burke vs Manassas?

Burke has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$8,403/yr on a $757K home). Manassas's rate is $1.204 per $100 (~$6,839/yr on a $568K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Burke or Manassas 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. Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. 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.