City Comparison

Chantilly vs Vienna: Which is right for your family?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Vienna is pricier ($960K median vs $710K), a difference of about $250K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 12 days on market compared to 19 in Chantilly. Chantilly offers a lower entry point at $25K–$2.8M.

Chantilly

VA

Vienna

VA

Median Price

$710K

$960K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

12 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$500K–$2.5M

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights

Schools

Vienna leads on school quality with a 92% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 85% in Chantilly. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Vienna, families look to James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Chantilly schools | See Vienna schools

Chantilly

VA

Vienna

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Excellent

Avg Pass Rate

85%

92%

Top Schools

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

James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary

Pass Rate

85%
92%

Commute

Vienna is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).

Chantilly

VA

Vienna

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Dulles Airport)

1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

Silver

Orange

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50

I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $710K home in Chantilly, you would pay ~$7,881/yr in property tax. In Vienna, a $960K home costs ~$10,656/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Chantilly

VA

Vienna

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,881/yr

$10,656/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate; Town of Vienna adds $0.2275

Walkability

Vienna is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 20 in Chantilly. Transit scores: Chantilly (12) vs Vienna (30). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Sully Station and Downtown Vienna score much higher than suburban areas.

Chantilly

VA

Vienna

VA

Walk Score

20Almost All Errands Require a Car
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

30

Bike Score

22

48

Safety

Vienna is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 55% below Virginia average. Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" (44% 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

Vienna

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Very Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

0.4/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

7.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

55% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Vienna more affordable?

Chantilly is more affordable with a median home price of $710K, compared to $960K in Vienna. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chantilly prices range from $25K–$2.8M. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.

Which has better schools, Chantilly or Vienna?

Vienna has stronger schools overall, with a 92% average pass rate compared to 85% in Chantilly. Top schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School. In Vienna, standout schools include James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Vienna?

Vienna has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

What are property taxes in Chantilly vs Vienna?

Chantilly has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Vienna's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$10,656/yr on a $960K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Chantilly or Vienna better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Chantilly offers spacious homes and excellent schools in western Fairfax County. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. 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.