City Comparison

Centreville vs Rockville: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. 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 $560K), a difference of about $40K. Centreville moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 17 in Rockville. Rockville offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1.8M.

Centreville

VA

Rockville

MD

Median Price

$600K

$560K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

17 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$200K–$1.8M

Top Neighborhoods

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

Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove

Schools

Rockville leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 84% in Centreville. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Rockville, families look to Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Centreville schools | See Rockville schools

Centreville

VA

Rockville

MD

Quality Tier

Strong

Excellent

Avg Pass Rate

84%

85%

Top Schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School

Pass Rate

84%
85%

Commute

Rockville is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355).

Centreville

VA

Rockville

MD

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)

Metro Lines

N/A

Red

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

None

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Property Tax

On a $600K home in Centreville, you would pay ~$6,660/yr in property tax. In Rockville, a $560K home costs ~$5,533/yr. Rockville has the lower rate at $0.988 per $100 of assessed value.

Centreville

VA

Rockville

MD

Rate per $100

$1.110

$0.988

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,660/yr

$5,533/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Montgomery County rate; City of Rockville adds $0.328

Walkability

Rockville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 25 in Centreville. Transit scores: Centreville (15) vs Rockville (42). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Centre Ridge and Rockville Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.

Centreville

VA

Rockville

MD

Walk Score

25Car-Dependent
52Somewhat Walkable

Transit Score

15

42

Bike Score

28

55

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% below Virginia average. Rockville is rated "Average" (9% 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

Rockville

MD

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Average

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

1.1/1K

Property Crime

9.1/1K

14.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% below Virginia average

9% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Rockville more affordable?

Rockville is more affordable with a median home price of $560K, 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. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.

Which has better schools, Centreville or Rockville?

Rockville has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 84% in Centreville. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Rockville, standout schools include Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Rockville?

Rockville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Centreville has no direct Metro access. Rockville has Metro access (Rockville).

What are property taxes in Centreville vs Rockville?

Centreville has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$6,660/yr on a $600K home). Rockville's rate is $0.988 per $100 (~$5,533/yr on a $560K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Centreville or Rockville better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. 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.