City Comparison

Chantilly vs Harrisonburg: Which is right for your family?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Harrisonburg is a vibrant college city in the Shenandoah Valley, home to James Madison University. 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 $300K), a difference of about $410K. Chantilly moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 24 in Harrisonburg. Harrisonburg offers a lower entry point at $150K–$600K.

Chantilly

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Median Price

$710K

$300K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

24 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$150K–$600K

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Downtown, Old Town, Massanetta Springs, Stone Spring

Schools

Chantilly leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 74% in Harrisonburg. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Harrisonburg, families look to Harrisonburg High School and Thomas Harrison Middle School. See Chantilly schools | See Harrisonburg schools

Chantilly

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

85%

74%

Top Schools

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

Harrisonburg High School, Thomas Harrison Middle School, Skyline Middle School

Pass Rate

85%
74%

Commute

Harrisonburg is closer to downtown at ~10 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), Harrisonburg (I-81, Rt 33, Rt 11).

Chantilly

VA

Harrisonburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~10 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-81, Rt 33, Rt 11, Rt 42

Commuter Rail

None

None

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Harrisonburg more affordable?

Harrisonburg is more affordable with a median home price of $300K, 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. Harrisonburg prices range from $150K–$600K.

Which has better schools, Chantilly or Harrisonburg?

Chantilly has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 74% in Harrisonburg. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Harrisonburg, standout schools include Harrisonburg High School and Thomas Harrison Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Harrisonburg?

Harrisonburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Harrisonburg has no direct Metro access.

Is Chantilly or Harrisonburg better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Harrisonburg is a vibrant college city in the Shenandoah Valley, home to James Madison University. 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.