City Comparison

Centreville vs Manassas: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. 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 $568K), a difference of about $32K. Centreville moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 22 in Manassas. Manassas offers a lower entry point at $60K–$1.9M.

Centreville

VA

Manassas

VA

Median Price

$600K

$568K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

22 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$60K–$1.9M

Top Neighborhoods

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

Old Town Manassas, Georgetown South, Signal Hill, Sudley

Schools

Centreville leads on school quality with a 84% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 72% in Manassas. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Manassas, families look to Osbourn High School and Metz Middle School. See Centreville schools | See Manassas schools

Centreville

VA

Manassas

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

84%

72%

Top Schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

Osbourn High School, Metz Middle School, Round Elementary

Pass Rate

84%
72%

Commute

Centreville is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Manassas (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 234).

Centreville

VA

Manassas

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~45 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 234

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Manassas line)

Property Tax

On a $600K home in Centreville, you would pay ~$6,660/yr in property tax. In Manassas, a $568K home costs ~$6,839/yr. Centreville has the lower rate at $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Centreville

VA

Manassas

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.204

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,660/yr

$6,839/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

None

Walkability

Manassas is more walkable with a Walk Score of 38 (Car-Dependent), compared to 25 in Centreville. Transit scores: Centreville (15) vs Manassas (15). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Centre Ridge and Old Town Manassas score much higher than suburban areas.

Centreville

VA

Manassas

VA

Walk Score

25Car-Dependent
38Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

15

Bike Score

28

35

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% below Virginia average. Manassas is rated "Average" (7% 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

Manassas

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Average

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

1.8/1K

Property Crime

9.1/1K

16.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% below Virginia average

7% above Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Manassas more affordable?

Manassas is more affordable with a median home price of $568K, 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. Manassas prices range from $60K–$1.9M.

Which has better schools, Centreville or Manassas?

Centreville has stronger schools overall, with a 84% average pass rate compared to 72% in Manassas. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Manassas, standout schools include Osbourn High School and Metz Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Manassas?

Centreville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Centreville has no direct Metro access. Manassas has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Centreville vs Manassas?

Centreville has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$6,660/yr on a $600K home). Manassas's rate is $1.204 per $100 (~$6,839/yr on a $568K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Centreville or Manassas better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. 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.