Market Overview
Charlottesville's median sold price is $535K with homes averaging 45 days on market; Fairfax is at $765K and 26 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Fairfax is pricier ($765K median vs $535K), a difference of about $230K. Fairfax moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 45 in Charlottesville. Charlottesville offers a lower entry point at $175K–$2M.
Charlottesville
VA
Fairfax
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$535K
$765K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
45 days
26 days
Price Range
$175K–$2M
$350K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Downtown Mall, Belmont, North Downtown, Barracks Road
Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills
Schools
Charlottesville has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Charlottesville include Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. See Charlottesville schools | See Fairfax schools
Charlottesville
VA
Fairfax
VA
Avg Pass Rate
80%
87%
Public schools
Charlottesville High School, Buford Middle School, Jackson-Via Elementary
Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech, Langley High School, McLean High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Charlottesville is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Fairfax has 2 Metro stations, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Charlottesville (I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250), Fairfax (I-66, I-495, Rt 50).
Charlottesville
VA
Fairfax
VA
Drive to Downtown
~10 min
~35 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
2 Metro stations (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)
Metro Lines
N/A
Orange
Major Highways
I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250
I-66, I-495, Rt 50, Rt 29
Commuter Rail
None
None
Walkability
Charlottesville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 48 (Car-Dependent), compared to 35 in Fairfax. Transit scores: Charlottesville (18) vs Fairfax (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Mall and Mantua score much higher than suburban areas.
Charlottesville
VA
Fairfax
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
18
28
Bike Score
58
42
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Charlottesville and Fairfax. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.
Charlottesville
VA
Fairfax
VA
Reported Violent Crime
2.5/1K
0.8/1K
Reported Property Crime
19.8/1K
10.2/1K
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlottesville or Fairfax more affordable?
Charlottesville is more affordable with a median sold price of $535K, compared to $765K in Fairfax (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Charlottesville prices range from $175K–$2M. Fairfax prices range from $350K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Charlottesville and Fairfax?
Charlottesville public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Charlottesville include Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Charlottesville or Fairfax?
Charlottesville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Charlottesville has no direct Metro access. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).
How do Charlottesville and Fairfax compare?
Charlottesville is a college town centered around the University of Virginia, with a walkable downtown, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia wine country. Fairfax combines public-school access, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.
Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. 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 September 2026.