City Comparison

Chantilly vs Herndon: Which is right for your family?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Herndon is pricier ($710K median vs $710K), a difference of about $0K. Chantilly moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 23 in Herndon. Chantilly offers a lower entry point at $175K–$2.2M.

Chantilly

VA

Herndon

VA

Median Price

$710K

$710K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

23 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$175K–$2.2M

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster

Schools

Chantilly leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 80% in Herndon. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Herndon, families look to Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. See Chantilly schools | See Herndon schools

Chantilly

VA

Herndon

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

85%

80%

Top Schools

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

Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary

Pass Rate

85%
80%

Commute

Herndon is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50), Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28).

Chantilly

VA

Herndon

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Dulles Airport)

2 Metro stations (nearest: Herndon)

Metro Lines

Silver

Silver

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50

Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $710K home in Chantilly, you would pay ~$7,881/yr in property tax. In Herndon, a $710K home costs ~$7,881/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Chantilly

VA

Herndon

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,881/yr

$7,881/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate; Town of Herndon adds $0.2650

Walkability

Herndon is more walkable with a Walk Score of 40 (Car-Dependent), compared to 20 in Chantilly. Transit scores: Chantilly (12) vs Herndon (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Sully Station and Herndon Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.

Chantilly

VA

Herndon

VA

Walk Score

20Almost All Errands Require a Car
40Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

28

Bike Score

22

45

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Herndon is rated "Safe" (19% 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

Herndon

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

0.9/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

12.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

19% below Virginia average

VA

Find agents in Chantilly

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Chantilly.

View top agents

VA

Find agents in Herndon

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Herndon.

View top agents

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Herndon more affordable?

Herndon is more affordable with a median home price of $710K, 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. Herndon prices range from $175K–$2.2M.

Which has better schools, Chantilly or Herndon?

Chantilly has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 80% in Herndon. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Herndon, standout schools include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Herndon?

Herndon has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Herndon has Metro access (Herndon).

What are property taxes in Chantilly vs Herndon?

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

Is Chantilly or Herndon better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. 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.