City Comparison

Chantilly vs Springfield: Which is right for your family?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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 $703K), a difference of about $7K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 19 in Chantilly. Springfield offers a lower entry point at $210K–$1.7M.

Chantilly

VA

Springfield

VA

Median Price

$710K

$703K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

16 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$210K–$1.7M

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Chantilly leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 82% in Springfield. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Springfield, families look to West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Chantilly schools | See Springfield schools

Chantilly

VA

Springfield

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

85%

82%

Top Schools

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

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving Middle School

Pass Rate

85%
82%

Commute

Springfield is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Chantilly

VA

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Dulles Airport)

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

Silver

Blue

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $710K home in Chantilly, you would pay ~$7,881/yr in property tax. In Springfield, a $703K home costs ~$7,803/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Chantilly

VA

Springfield

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,881/yr

$7,803/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Springfield is more walkable with a Walk Score of 32 (Car-Dependent), compared to 20 in Chantilly. Transit scores: Chantilly (12) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Sully Station and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Chantilly

VA

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

20Almost All Errands Require a Car
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

28

Bike Score

22

38

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Springfield is rated "Safe" (36% 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

Springfield

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

0.7/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

10.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

36% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Springfield more affordable?

Springfield is more affordable with a median home price of $703K, 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. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

Which has better schools, Chantilly or Springfield?

Chantilly has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 82% in Springfield. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Springfield, standout schools include West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Springfield?

Springfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield).

What are property taxes in Chantilly vs Springfield?

Chantilly has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Springfield's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,803/yr on a $703K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Chantilly or Springfield better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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.