City Comparison

Centreville vs Frederick: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. 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 $420K), a difference of about $180K. Centreville moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 20 in Frederick. Frederick offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1M.

Centreville

VA

Frederick

MD

Median Price

$600K

$420K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

20 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$200K–$1M

Top Neighborhoods

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

Downtown Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Urbana, Spring Ridge

Schools

Centreville leads on school quality with a 84% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 79% in Frederick. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Frederick, families look to Urbana High School and Oakdale High School. See Centreville schools | See Frederick schools

Centreville

VA

Frederick

MD

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

84%

79%

Top Schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

Urbana High School, Oakdale High School, Gov. Thomas Johnson High School

Pass Rate

84%
79%

Commute

Centreville is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Frederick (I-70, I-270, Rt 15).

Centreville

VA

Frederick

MD

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~60 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-70, I-270, Rt 15, Rt 340

Commuter Rail

None

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Walkability

Frederick is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 25 in Centreville. Transit scores: Centreville (15) vs Frederick (12). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Centre Ridge and Downtown Frederick score much higher than suburban areas.

Centreville

VA

Frederick

MD

Walk Score

25Car-Dependent
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

12

Bike Score

28

45

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% below Virginia average. Frederick is rated "Average" (8% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Centreville

VA

Frederick

MD

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Average

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

1.5/1K

Property Crime

9.1/1K

16.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% below Virginia average

8% above Virginia average

VA

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MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Frederick more affordable?

Frederick is more affordable with a median home price of $420K, 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. Frederick prices range from $200K–$1M.

Which has better schools, Centreville or Frederick?

Centreville has stronger schools overall, with a 84% average pass rate compared to 79% in Frederick. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Frederick, standout schools include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Frederick?

Centreville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Centreville has no direct Metro access. Frederick has no direct Metro access.

Is Centreville or Frederick better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. 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.