City Comparison

Centreville vs Springfield: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Springfield is pricier ($703K median vs $600K), a difference of about $103K. Both cities average 16 days on market. Centreville offers a lower entry point at $245K–$3.1M.

Centreville

VA

Springfield

VA

Median Price

$600K

$703K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

16 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$210K–$1.7M

Top Neighborhoods

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

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Centreville leads on school quality with a 84% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 82% in Springfield. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Springfield, families look to West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Centreville schools | See Springfield schools

Centreville

VA

Springfield

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

84%

82%

Top Schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving Middle School

Pass Rate

84%
82%

Commute

Springfield is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Centreville

VA

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

N/A

Blue

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $600K home in Centreville, you would pay ~$6,660/yr in property tax. In Springfield, a $703K home costs ~$7,803/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Centreville

VA

Springfield

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,660/yr

$7,803/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Springfield is more walkable with a Walk Score of 32 (Car-Dependent), compared to 25 in Centreville. Transit scores: Centreville (15) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Centre Ridge and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Centreville

VA

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

25Car-Dependent
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

28

Bike Score

28

38

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% below Virginia average. Springfield is rated "Safe" (36% 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

Springfield

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

0.7/1K

Property Crime

9.1/1K

10.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% below Virginia average

36% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Springfield more affordable?

Centreville is more affordable with a median home price of $600K, compared to $703K in Springfield. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Centreville prices range from $245K–$3.1M. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

Which has better schools, Centreville or Springfield?

Centreville has stronger schools overall, with a 84% average pass rate compared to 82% in Springfield. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Springfield, standout schools include West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Springfield?

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

What are property taxes in Centreville vs Springfield?

Centreville has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$6,660/yr on a $600K home). Springfield's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,803/yr on a $703K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Centreville or Springfield better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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.