City Comparison

Chantilly vs Spotsylvania: Which is right for your family?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Spotsylvania County combines historic battlefields with modern neighborhoods. 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 $520K), a difference of about $190K. Chantilly moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 35 in Spotsylvania. Spotsylvania offers a lower entry point at $130K–$3M.

Chantilly

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Median Price

$710K

$520K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

35 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$130K–$3M

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Lee Hill, Lees Parke, Crossroads, Thorngate

Schools

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

Chantilly

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

85%

74%

Top Schools

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

Riverbend High School, Courtland High School, Chancellor High School

Pass Rate

85%
74%

Commute

Chantilly is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~70 minutes. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Major highway access: Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50), Spotsylvania (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3).

Chantilly

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~70 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 Spotsylvania, a $520K home costs ~$4,472/yr. Spotsylvania has the lower rate at $0.860 per $100 of assessed value.

Chantilly

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$0.860

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,881/yr

$4,472/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

None

Walkability

Chantilly is more walkable with a Walk Score of 20 (Almost All Errands Require a Car), compared to 14 in Spotsylvania. Transit scores: Chantilly (12) vs Spotsylvania (6). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Sully Station and Lee Hill score much higher than suburban areas.

Chantilly

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Walk Score

20Almost All Errands Require a Car
14Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

12

6

Bike Score

22

15

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Spotsylvania is rated "Safe" (21% 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

Spotsylvania

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

1.1/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

12.3/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

21% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Spotsylvania more affordable?

Spotsylvania is more affordable with a median home price of $520K, 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. Spotsylvania prices range from $130K–$3M.

Which has better schools, Chantilly or Spotsylvania?

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

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Spotsylvania?

Chantilly has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~70 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Spotsylvania has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Chantilly vs Spotsylvania?

Chantilly has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Spotsylvania's rate is $0.860 per $100 (~$4,472/yr on a $520K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Chantilly or Spotsylvania better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Spotsylvania County combines historic battlefields with modern neighborhoods. 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.