City Comparison

Centreville vs Fredericksburg: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. 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 $477K), a difference of about $123K. Centreville moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 29 in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg offers a lower entry point at $151K–$3.8M.

Centreville

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Median Price

$600K

$477K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

29 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$151K–$3.8M

Top Neighborhoods

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

Downtown, College Heights, Idlewild, Braehead

Schools

Centreville leads on school quality with a 84% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 73% in Fredericksburg. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Fredericksburg, families look to James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School. See Centreville schools | See Fredericksburg schools

Centreville

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

84%

73%

Top Schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

James Monroe High School, Walker-Grant Middle School

Pass Rate

84%
73%

Commute

Centreville is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Fredericksburg (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3).

Centreville

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~65 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 3

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Property Tax

On a $600K home in Centreville, you would pay ~$6,660/yr in property tax. In Fredericksburg, a $477K home costs ~$4,055/yr. Fredericksburg has the lower rate at $0.850 per $100 of assessed value.

Centreville

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$0.850

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,660/yr

$4,055/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

None

Walkability

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

Centreville

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Walk Score

25Car-Dependent
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

12

Bike Score

28

38

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% below Virginia average. Fredericksburg is rated "Below Average" (47% 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

Fredericksburg

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Below Average

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

2.8/1K

Property Crime

9.1/1K

22.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% below Virginia average

47% above Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Fredericksburg more affordable?

Fredericksburg is more affordable with a median home price of $477K, 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. Fredericksburg prices range from $151K–$3.8M.

Which has better schools, Centreville or Fredericksburg?

Centreville has stronger schools overall, with a 84% average pass rate compared to 73% in Fredericksburg. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Fredericksburg, standout schools include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Fredericksburg?

Centreville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Centreville has no direct Metro access. Fredericksburg has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Centreville vs Fredericksburg?

Centreville has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$6,660/yr on a $600K home). Fredericksburg's rate is $0.850 per $100 (~$4,055/yr on a $477K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Centreville or Fredericksburg better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. 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.