Market Overview
Vienna is pricier ($960K median vs $757K), a difference of about $203K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 12 days on market compared to 14 in Burke. Burke offers a lower entry point at $235K–$1.8M.
Burke
VA
Vienna
VA
Median Price
$757K
$960K
Avg Days on Market
14 days
12 days
Price Range
$235K–$1.8M
$500K–$2.5M
Top Neighborhoods
Burke Centre, Burke Station Square, Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run
Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights
Schools
Vienna leads on school quality with a 92% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 86% in Burke. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Vienna, families look to James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Burke schools | See Vienna schools
Burke
VA
Vienna
VA
Quality Tier
Excellent
Excellent
Avg Pass Rate
86%
92%
Top Schools
Lake Braddock Secondary School, Robinson Secondary School, White Oaks Elementary
James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary
Pass Rate
Commute
Vienna is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Burke (I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).
Burke
VA
Vienna
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~25 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)
Metro Lines
N/A
Orange
Major Highways
I-495, Rt 123, Burke Centre Pkwy
I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29
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 Vienna, a $960K home costs ~$10,656/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.
Burke
VA
Vienna
VA
Rate per $100
$1.110
$1.110
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$8,403/yr
$10,656/yr
Notes
Fairfax County rate
Fairfax County rate; Town of Vienna adds $0.2275
Walkability
Vienna is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Burke. Transit scores: Burke (15) vs Vienna (30). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Burke Centre and Downtown Vienna score much higher than suburban areas.
Burke
VA
Vienna
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
15
30
Bike Score
25
48
Safety
Vienna is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 55% 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
Vienna
VA
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
0.5/1K
0.4/1K
Property Crime
8.2/1K
7.2/1K
vs Virginia Avg
49% below Virginia average
55% below Virginia average
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burke or Vienna more affordable?
Burke is more affordable with a median home price of $757K, compared to $960K in Vienna. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Burke prices range from $235K–$1.8M. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.
Which has better schools, Burke or Vienna?
Vienna has stronger schools overall, with a 92% average pass rate compared to 86% in Burke. Top schools in Burke include Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School. In Vienna, standout schools include James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.
Which is easier to commute from, Burke or Vienna?
Vienna has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Burke has no direct Metro access. Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).
What are property taxes in Burke vs Vienna?
Burke has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$8,403/yr on a $757K home). Vienna's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$10,656/yr on a $960K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
Is Burke or Vienna 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. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. 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.