City Comparison

Chantilly vs Chesapeake: Which is right for your family?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Chesapeake is a sprawling Hampton Roads city offering spacious homes, excellent schools, and access to the Great Dismal Swamp. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Chantilly is pricier ($710K median vs $380K), a difference of about $330K. Chantilly moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 22 in Chesapeake. Chesapeake offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1M.

Chantilly

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Median Price

$710K

$380K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

22 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$175K–$1M

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Great Bridge, Greenbrier, Hickory, Western Branch

Schools

Chantilly leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 79% in Chesapeake. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Chesapeake, families look to Grassfield High School and Hickory High School. See Chantilly schools | See Chesapeake schools

Chantilly

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

85%

79%

Top Schools

Chantilly High School, Rocky Run Middle School, Greenbriar West Elementary

Grassfield High School, Hickory High School, Oscar F. Smith High School

Pass Rate

85%
79%

Commute

Chesapeake is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Major highway access: Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50), Chesapeake (I-64, I-464, I-264).

Chantilly

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~20 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Dulles Airport)

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Silver

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50

I-64, I-464, I-264, Rt 168, Rt 17

Commuter Rail

None

None

Walkability

Chantilly is more walkable with a Walk Score of 20 (Almost All Errands Require a Car), compared to 18 in Chesapeake. Transit scores: Chantilly (12) vs Chesapeake (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Sully Station and Great Bridge score much higher than suburban areas.

Chantilly

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Walk Score

20Almost All Errands Require a Car
18Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

12

8

Bike Score

22

22

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Chesapeake is rated "Safe" (13% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Chantilly

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

1.2/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

13.5/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

13% below Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Chesapeake more affordable?

Chesapeake is more affordable with a median home price of $380K, compared to $710K in Chantilly. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chantilly prices range from $25K–$2.8M. Chesapeake prices range from $175K–$1M.

Which has better schools, Chantilly or Chesapeake?

Chantilly has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 79% in Chesapeake. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Chesapeake, standout schools include Grassfield High School and Hickory High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Chesapeake?

Chesapeake has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Chesapeake has no direct Metro access.

Is Chantilly or Chesapeake better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Chesapeake is a sprawling Hampton Roads city offering spacious homes, excellent schools, and access to the Great Dismal Swamp. 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.