City Comparison

Chantilly vs Germantown: How they compare

Chantilly offers spacious homes and public schools in western Fairfax County. Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, offering affordable homes and diverse neighborhoods along the I-270 corridor. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Chantilly's median sold price is $700K with homes averaging 24 days on market; Germantown is at $430K and 33 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Chantilly is pricier ($700K median vs $430K), a difference of about $270K. Chantilly moves faster, with homes averaging 24 days on market compared to 33 in Germantown. Germantown offers a lower entry point at $175K–$850K.

Chantilly

VA

Germantown

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$700K

$430K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

24 days

33 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$175K–$850K

Notable Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Churchill Village, Clopper's Mill, Gunners Lake, Kings Valley

Schools

Chantilly has a 85% average SOL pass rate; Germantown has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School; in Germantown, Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School. See Chantilly schools | See Germantown schools

Chantilly

VA

Germantown

MD

Avg Pass Rate

85%

78%

Public schools

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

Northwest High School, Seneca Valley High School, Roberto Clemente Middle School

Pass Rate

85%
78%

Commute

Germantown is closer to downtown at ~40 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), Germantown (I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355).

Chantilly

VA

Germantown

MD

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~40 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-270, Rt 118, Rt 355

Commuter Rail

None

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Walkability

Germantown is more walkable with a Walk Score of 28 (Car-Dependent), compared to 20 in Chantilly. Transit scores: Chantilly (12) vs Germantown (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Sully Station and Churchill Village score much higher than suburban areas.

Chantilly

VA

Germantown

MD

Walk Score

20Almost All Errands Require a Car
28Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

22

Bike Score

22

32

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Germantown is rated "Safe" (20% 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

Germantown

MD

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

1/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

12.5/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

20% below Virginia average

VA

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MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Germantown more affordable?

Germantown is more affordable with a median sold price of $430K, compared to $700K in Chantilly (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chantilly prices range from $25K–$2.8M. Germantown prices range from $175K–$850K.

What are the public-school pass rates in Chantilly and Germantown?

Chantilly public schools have a 85% average SOL pass rate; Germantown has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School; in Germantown, Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Germantown?

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

How do Chantilly and Germantown compare?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and public schools in western Fairfax County. Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, offering affordable homes and diverse neighborhoods along the I-270 corridor. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026. 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 August 2026.

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Chantilly vs Germantown: $700K vs $430K (2026) | smover