City Comparison

Centreville vs Dumfries: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Centreville is pricier ($600K median vs $450K), a difference of about $150K. Centreville moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 20 in Dumfries. Dumfries offers a lower entry point at $200K–$750K.

Centreville

VA

Dumfries

VA

Median Price

$600K

$450K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

20 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$200K–$750K

Top Neighborhoods

Centre Ridge, Sully Station, Virginia Run, Little Rocky Run

Montclair, Potomac Club, Triangle, Cherry Hill

Schools

Centreville leads on school quality with a 84% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 71% in Dumfries. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Dumfries, families look to Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School. See Centreville schools | See Dumfries schools

Centreville

VA

Dumfries

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

84%

71%

Top Schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

Forest Park High School, Graham Park Middle School, Leesylvania Elementary

Pass Rate

84%
71%

Commute

Centreville is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Dumfries (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234).

Centreville

VA

Dumfries

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~45 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Dumfries more affordable?

Dumfries is more affordable with a median home price of $450K, compared to $600K in Centreville. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Centreville prices range from $245K–$3.1M. Dumfries prices range from $200K–$750K.

Which has better schools, Centreville or Dumfries?

Centreville has stronger schools overall, with a 84% average pass rate compared to 71% in Dumfries. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Dumfries, standout schools include Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Dumfries?

Centreville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Centreville has no direct Metro access. Dumfries has no direct Metro access.

Is Centreville or Dumfries better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. 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.