City Comparison

Centreville vs Harrisonburg: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Harrisonburg is a vibrant college city in the Shenandoah Valley, home to James Madison University. 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 $300K), a difference of about $300K. Centreville moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 24 in Harrisonburg. Harrisonburg offers a lower entry point at $150K–$600K.

Centreville

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Median Price

$600K

$300K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

24 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$150K–$600K

Top Neighborhoods

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

Downtown, Old Town, Massanetta Springs, Stone Spring

Schools

Centreville leads on school quality with a 84% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 74% in Harrisonburg. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Harrisonburg, families look to Harrisonburg High School and Thomas Harrison Middle School. See Centreville schools | See Harrisonburg schools

Centreville

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

84%

74%

Top Schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

Harrisonburg High School, Thomas Harrison Middle School, Skyline Middle School

Pass Rate

84%
74%

Commute

Harrisonburg is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Harrisonburg (I-81, Rt 33, Rt 11).

Centreville

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~10 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-81, Rt 33, Rt 11, Rt 42

Commuter Rail

None

None

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Harrisonburg more affordable?

Harrisonburg is more affordable with a median home price of $300K, 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. Harrisonburg prices range from $150K–$600K.

Which has better schools, Centreville or Harrisonburg?

Centreville has stronger schools overall, with a 84% average pass rate compared to 74% in Harrisonburg. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Harrisonburg, standout schools include Harrisonburg High School and Thomas Harrison Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Harrisonburg?

Harrisonburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Centreville has no direct Metro access. Harrisonburg has no direct Metro access.

Is Centreville or Harrisonburg better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Harrisonburg is a vibrant college city in the Shenandoah Valley, home to James Madison University. 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.