City Comparison

Chantilly vs Manassas: Which is right for your family?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. 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 $568K), a difference of about $142K. Chantilly moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 22 in Manassas. Manassas offers a lower entry point at $60K–$1.9M.

Chantilly

VA

Manassas

VA

Median Price

$710K

$568K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

22 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$60K–$1.9M

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Old Town Manassas, Georgetown South, Signal Hill, Sudley

Schools

Chantilly leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 72% in Manassas. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Manassas, families look to Osbourn High School and Metz Middle School. See Chantilly schools | See Manassas schools

Chantilly

VA

Manassas

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

85%

72%

Top Schools

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

Osbourn High School, Metz Middle School, Round Elementary

Pass Rate

85%
72%

Commute

Chantilly is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Major highway access: Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50), Manassas (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 234).

Chantilly

VA

Manassas

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~45 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-66, Rt 28, Rt 234

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Manassas line)

Property Tax

On a $710K home in Chantilly, you would pay ~$7,881/yr in property tax. In Manassas, a $568K home costs ~$6,839/yr. Chantilly has the lower rate at $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Chantilly

VA

Manassas

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.204

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,881/yr

$6,839/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

None

Walkability

Manassas is more walkable with a Walk Score of 38 (Car-Dependent), compared to 20 in Chantilly. Transit scores: Chantilly (12) vs Manassas (15). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Sully Station and Old Town Manassas score much higher than suburban areas.

Chantilly

VA

Manassas

VA

Walk Score

20Almost All Errands Require a Car
38Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

15

Bike Score

22

35

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Manassas is rated "Average" (7% 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

Manassas

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Average

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

1.8/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

16.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

7% above Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Manassas more affordable?

Manassas is more affordable with a median home price of $568K, 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. Manassas prices range from $60K–$1.9M.

Which has better schools, Chantilly or Manassas?

Chantilly has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 72% in Manassas. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Manassas, standout schools include Osbourn High School and Metz Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Manassas?

Chantilly has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Manassas has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Chantilly vs Manassas?

Chantilly has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Manassas's rate is $1.204 per $100 (~$6,839/yr on a $568K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Chantilly or Manassas better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. 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.