City Comparison

Centreville vs Herndon: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Herndon is pricier ($710K median vs $600K), a difference of about $110K. Centreville moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 23 in Herndon. Centreville offers a lower entry point at $245K–$3.1M.

Centreville

VA

Herndon

VA

Median Price

$600K

$710K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

23 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$175K–$2.2M

Top Neighborhoods

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

Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster

Schools

Centreville leads on school quality with a 84% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 80% in Herndon. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Herndon, families look to Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. See Centreville schools | See Herndon schools

Centreville

VA

Herndon

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

84%

80%

Top Schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary

Pass Rate

84%
80%

Commute

Herndon is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28).

Centreville

VA

Herndon

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Herndon)

Metro Lines

N/A

Silver

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $600K home in Centreville, you would pay ~$6,660/yr in property tax. In Herndon, a $710K home costs ~$7,881/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Centreville

VA

Herndon

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,660/yr

$7,881/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate; Town of Herndon adds $0.2650

Walkability

Herndon is more walkable with a Walk Score of 40 (Car-Dependent), compared to 25 in Centreville. Transit scores: Centreville (15) vs Herndon (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Centre Ridge and Herndon Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.

Centreville

VA

Herndon

VA

Walk Score

25Car-Dependent
40Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

28

Bike Score

28

45

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% below Virginia average. Herndon is rated "Safe" (19% 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

Herndon

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

0.9/1K

Property Crime

9.1/1K

12.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% below Virginia average

19% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Herndon more affordable?

Centreville is more affordable with a median home price of $600K, compared to $710K in Herndon. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Centreville prices range from $245K–$3.1M. Herndon prices range from $175K–$2.2M.

Which has better schools, Centreville or Herndon?

Centreville has stronger schools overall, with a 84% average pass rate compared to 80% in Herndon. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Herndon, standout schools include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Herndon?

Herndon has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Centreville has no direct Metro access. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon).

What are property taxes in Centreville vs Herndon?

Centreville has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$6,660/yr on a $600K home). Herndon's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Centreville or Herndon better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. 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.