City Comparison

Burke vs Springfield: 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. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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 $703K), a difference of about $54K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 16 in Springfield. Springfield offers a lower entry point at $210K–$1.7M.

Burke

VA

Springfield

VA

Median Price

$757K

$703K

Avg Days on Market

14 days

16 days

Price Range

$235K–$1.8M

$210K–$1.7M

Top Neighborhoods

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

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Burke leads on school quality with a 86% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 82% in Springfield. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Springfield, families look to West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Burke schools | See Springfield schools

Burke

VA

Springfield

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

86%

82%

Top Schools

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

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving Middle School

Pass Rate

86%
82%

Commute

Springfield is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Burke

VA

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

N/A

Blue

Major Highways

I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

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 Springfield, a $703K home costs ~$7,803/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Burke

VA

Springfield

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$8,403/yr

$7,803/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Springfield is more walkable with a Walk Score of 32 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Burke. Transit scores: Burke (15) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Burke Centre and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Burke

VA

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

22Almost All Errands Require a Car
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

28

Bike Score

25

38

Safety

Burke is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 49% below Virginia average. Springfield is rated "Safe" (36% 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

Springfield

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.5/1K

0.7/1K

Property Crime

8.2/1K

10.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

49% below Virginia average

36% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burke or Springfield more affordable?

Springfield is more affordable with a median home price of $703K, 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. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

Which has better schools, Burke or Springfield?

Burke has stronger schools overall, with a 86% average pass rate compared to 82% in Springfield. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Springfield, standout schools include West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Springfield?

Springfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield).

What are property taxes in Burke vs Springfield?

Burke has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$8,403/yr on a $757K home). Springfield's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,803/yr on a $703K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Burke or Springfield 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. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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.