City Comparison

Chantilly vs Frederick: Which is right for your family?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. 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 $420K), a difference of about $290K. Chantilly moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 20 in Frederick. Frederick offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1M.

Chantilly

VA

Frederick

MD

Median Price

$710K

$420K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

20 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$200K–$1M

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Downtown Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Urbana, Spring Ridge

Schools

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

Chantilly

VA

Frederick

MD

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

85%

79%

Top Schools

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

Urbana High School, Oakdale High School, Gov. Thomas Johnson High School

Pass Rate

85%
79%

Commute

Chantilly is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Major highway access: Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50), Frederick (I-70, I-270, Rt 15).

Chantilly

VA

Frederick

MD

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~60 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-70, I-270, Rt 15, Rt 340

Commuter Rail

None

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Walkability

Frederick is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 20 in Chantilly. Transit scores: Chantilly (12) vs Frederick (12). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Sully Station and Downtown Frederick score much higher than suburban areas.

Chantilly

VA

Frederick

MD

Walk Score

20Almost All Errands Require a Car
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

12

Bike Score

22

45

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Frederick is rated "Average" (8% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Chantilly

VA

Frederick

MD

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Average

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

1.5/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

16.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

8% above Virginia average

VA

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MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Frederick more affordable?

Frederick is more affordable with a median home price of $420K, 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. Frederick prices range from $200K–$1M.

Which has better schools, Chantilly or Frederick?

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

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Frederick?

Chantilly has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Frederick has no direct Metro access.

Is Chantilly or Frederick better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. 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.