City Comparison

Centreville vs McLean: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

McLean is pricier ($1.4M median vs $600K), a difference of about $800K. Centreville moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 18 in McLean. Centreville offers a lower entry point at $245K–$3.1M.

Centreville

VA

McLean

VA

Median Price

$600K

$1.4M

Avg Days on Market

16 days

18 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$700K–$5M+

Top Neighborhoods

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

Langley Farms, Chain Bridge Forest, Broyhill Langley Estates, McLean Hamlet

Property Tax

On a $600K home in Centreville, you would pay ~$6,660/yr in property tax. In McLean, a $1.4M home costs ~$15,540/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Centreville

VA

McLean

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,660/yr

$15,540/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

McLean is more walkable with a Walk Score of 28 (Car-Dependent), compared to 25 in Centreville. Transit scores: Centreville (15) vs McLean (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Centre Ridge and Langley Farms score much higher than suburban areas.

Centreville

VA

McLean

VA

Walk Score

25Car-Dependent
28Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

22

Bike Score

28

32

Safety

McLean is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 60% below Virginia average. Centreville is rated "Very Safe" (42% 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

McLean

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Very Safe

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

0.3/1K

Property Crime

9.1/1K

6.5/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% below Virginia average

60% below Virginia average

VA

Find agents in Centreville

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Centreville.

View top agents

VA

Find agents in McLean

Browse verified agents with real sales data in McLean.

View top agents

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or McLean more affordable?

Centreville is more affordable with a median home price of $600K, compared to $1.4M in McLean. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Centreville prices range from $245K–$3.1M. McLean prices range from $700K–$5M+.

What are property taxes in Centreville vs McLean?

Centreville has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$6,660/yr on a $600K home). McLean's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$15,540/yr on a $1.4M home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Centreville or McLean better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. 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.