City Comparison

Burke vs Severn: How they compare

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Severn is a growing community in Anne Arundel County near Fort Meade and the NSA, with access to Baltimore and D. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Burke's median sold price is $660K with homes averaging 20 days on market; Severn is at $510K and 36 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Burke is pricier ($660K median vs $510K), a difference of about $150K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 20 days on market compared to 36 in Severn. Severn offers a lower entry point at $200K–$750K.

Burke

VA

Severn

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$660K

$510K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

20 days

36 days

Price Range

$235K–$1.8M

$200K–$750K

Notable Neighborhoods

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

Severn Run, Meade Village, Piney Orchard, Arundel Mills

Schools

Burke has a 86% average SOL pass rate; Severn has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Severn, Meade High School and Old Mill High School. See Burke schools | See Severn schools

Burke

VA

Severn

MD

Avg Pass Rate

86%

77%

Public schools

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

Meade High School, Old Mill High School, Severn River Middle School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Burke is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Severn (I-97, Rt 32, Rt 3).

Burke

VA

Severn

MD

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~40 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-97, Rt 32, Rt 3

Commuter Rail

VRE (Burke Centre station)

None

VA

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MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burke or Severn more affordable?

Severn is more affordable with a median sold price of $510K, compared to $660K in Burke (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Burke prices range from $235K–$1.8M. Severn prices range from $200K–$750K.

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

Burke public schools have a 86% average SOL pass rate; Severn has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School; in Severn, Meade High School and Old Mill High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Severn?

Burke has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Severn has no direct Metro access.

How do Burke and Severn compare?

Burke is a well-established Fairfax County community known for Burke Lake Park and tree-lined neighborhoods. Severn is a growing community in Anne Arundel County near Fort Meade and the NSA, with access to Baltimore and D. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. 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 September 2026.

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