Market Overview
Burke is pricier ($757K median vs $560K), a difference of about $197K. Burke moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 27 in Stafford. Stafford offers a lower entry point at $108K–$1.3M.
Burke
VA
Stafford
VA
Median Price
$757K
$560K
Avg Days on Market
14 days
27 days
Price Range
$235K–$1.8M
$108K–$1.3M
Top Neighborhoods
Burke Centre, Burke Station Square, Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run
Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek
Schools
Burke leads on school quality with a 86% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 77% in Stafford. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Stafford, families look to North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. See Burke schools | See Stafford schools
Burke
VA
Stafford
VA
Quality Tier
Excellent
Strong
Avg Pass Rate
86%
77%
Top Schools
Lake Braddock Secondary School, Robinson Secondary School, White Oaks Elementary
North Stafford High School, Mountain View High School, Stafford High School
Pass Rate
Commute
Burke is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610).
Burke
VA
Stafford
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~55 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-95, Rt 1, Rt 610
Commuter Rail
VRE (Burke Centre station)
VRE (Fredericksburg line)
Property Tax
On a $757K home in Burke, you would pay ~$8,403/yr in property tax. In Stafford, a $560K home costs ~$5,874/yr. Stafford has the lower rate at $1.049 per $100 of assessed value.
Burke
VA
Stafford
VA
Rate per $100
$1.110
$1.049
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$8,403/yr
$5,874/yr
Notes
Fairfax County rate
None
Walkability
Burke is more walkable with a Walk Score of 22 (Almost All Errands Require a Car), compared to 15 in Stafford. Transit scores: Burke (15) vs Stafford (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Burke Centre and Aquia Harbour score much higher than suburban areas.
Burke
VA
Stafford
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
15
8
Bike Score
25
18
Safety
Burke is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 49% below Virginia average. Stafford is rated "Safe" (31% 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
Stafford
VA
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
0.5/1K
0.9/1K
Property Crime
8.2/1K
10.8/1K
vs Virginia Avg
49% below Virginia average
31% below Virginia average
VA
Find agents in Burke
Browse verified agents with real sales data in Burke.
View top agentsVA
Find agents in Stafford
Browse verified agents with real sales data in Stafford.
View top agentsRelated Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burke or Stafford more affordable?
Stafford is more affordable with a median home price of $560K, 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. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M.
Which has better schools, Burke or Stafford?
Burke has stronger schools overall, with a 86% average pass rate compared to 77% in Stafford. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Stafford, standout schools include North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.
Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Stafford?
Burke has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Stafford has no direct Metro access.
What are property taxes in Burke vs Stafford?
Burke has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$8,403/yr on a $757K home). Stafford's rate is $1.049 per $100 (~$5,874/yr on a $560K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
Is Burke or Stafford 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. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. 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.