City Comparison

Chantilly vs Fredericksburg: Which is right for your family?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. 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 $477K), a difference of about $233K. Chantilly moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 29 in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg offers a lower entry point at $151K–$3.8M.

Chantilly

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Median Price

$710K

$477K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

29 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$151K–$3.8M

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Downtown, College Heights, Idlewild, Braehead

Schools

Chantilly leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 73% in Fredericksburg. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Fredericksburg, families look to James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School. See Chantilly schools | See Fredericksburg schools

Chantilly

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

85%

73%

Top Schools

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

James Monroe High School, Walker-Grant Middle School

Pass Rate

85%
73%

Commute

Chantilly is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Major highway access: Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50), Fredericksburg (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3).

Chantilly

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~65 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-95, Rt 1, Rt 3

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Property Tax

On a $710K home in Chantilly, you would pay ~$7,881/yr in property tax. In Fredericksburg, a $477K home costs ~$4,055/yr. Fredericksburg has the lower rate at $0.850 per $100 of assessed value.

Chantilly

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$0.850

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,881/yr

$4,055/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

None

Walkability

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

Chantilly

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Walk Score

20Almost All Errands Require a Car
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

12

Bike Score

22

38

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Fredericksburg is rated "Below Average" (47% 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

Fredericksburg

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Below Average

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

2.8/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

22.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

47% above Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Fredericksburg more affordable?

Fredericksburg is more affordable with a median home price of $477K, 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. Fredericksburg prices range from $151K–$3.8M.

Which has better schools, Chantilly or Fredericksburg?

Chantilly has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 73% in Fredericksburg. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Fredericksburg, standout schools include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Fredericksburg?

Chantilly has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Fredericksburg has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Chantilly vs Fredericksburg?

Chantilly has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Fredericksburg's rate is $0.850 per $100 (~$4,055/yr on a $477K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Chantilly or Fredericksburg better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. 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.