City Comparison

Centreville vs Fairfax: How they compare

Centreville offers spacious homes and residential neighborhoods at accessible price points. Fairfax combines public schools, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Centreville's median sold price is $579K with homes averaging 26 days on market; Fairfax is at $765K and 26 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Fairfax is pricier ($765K median vs $579K), a difference of about $186K. Both cities average 26 days on market. Centreville offers a lower entry point at $245K–$3.1M.

Centreville

VA

Fairfax

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$579K

$765K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

26 days

26 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$350K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

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

Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills

Schools

Centreville has a 84% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. See Centreville schools | See Fairfax schools

Centreville

VA

Fairfax

VA

Avg Pass Rate

84%

87%

Public schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech, Langley High School, McLean High School

Pass Rate

84%
87%

Commute

Fairfax is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Fairfax has 2 Metro stations, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Fairfax (I-66, I-495, Rt 50).

Centreville

VA

Fairfax

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

N/A

Orange

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-66, I-495, Rt 50, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $579K home in Centreville, you would pay ~$6,427/yr in property tax. In Fairfax, a $765K home costs ~$8,492/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Centreville

VA

Fairfax

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,427/yr

$8,492/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate; City of Fairfax is $1.075

Walkability

Fairfax is more walkable with a Walk Score of 35 (Car-Dependent), compared to 25 in Centreville. Transit scores: Centreville (15) vs Fairfax (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Centre Ridge and Mantua score much higher than suburban areas.

Centreville

VA

Fairfax

VA

Walk Score

25Car-Dependent
35Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

28

Bike Score

28

42

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% below Virginia average. Fairfax is rated "Safe" (35% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Centreville

VA

Fairfax

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

0.8/1K

Property Crime

9.1/1K

10.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% below Virginia average

35% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Fairfax more affordable?

Centreville is more affordable with a median sold price of $579K, compared to $765K in Fairfax (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. Centreville prices range from $245K–$3.1M. Fairfax prices range from $350K–$1.5M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Centreville and Fairfax?

Centreville public schools have a 84% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Fairfax?

Fairfax has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Centreville has no direct Metro access. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

What are property taxes in Centreville vs Fairfax?

Centreville has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$6,427/yr on a $579K home). Fairfax's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$8,492/yr on a $765K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Centreville and Fairfax compare?

Centreville offers spacious homes and residential neighborhoods at accessible price points. Fairfax combines public schools, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent 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 August 2026.

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Centreville vs Fairfax: $579K vs $765K (2026) | smover