City Comparison

Charlottesville vs Henrico: How they 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. Henrico County is a major Richmond suburb offering diverse neighborhoods from the urban-adjacent West End to the rural eastern reaches. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Charlottesville is pricier ($400K median vs $370K), a difference of about $30K. Henrico moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 22 in Charlottesville. Henrico offers a lower entry point at $150K–$1.2M.

Charlottesville

VA

Henrico

VA

Median Price

$400K

$370K

Avg Days on Market

22 days

16 days

Price Range

$175K–$2M

$150K–$1.2M

Top Neighborhoods

Downtown Mall, Belmont, North Downtown, Barracks Road

Short Pump, Glen Allen, West End, Innsbrook

Schools

Charlottesville has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Henrico has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Charlottesville include Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School; in Henrico, Deep Run High School and Glen Allen High School. See Charlottesville schools | See Henrico schools

Charlottesville

VA

Henrico

VA

Avg Pass Rate

80%

78%

Public schools

Charlottesville High School, Buford Middle School, Jackson-Via Elementary

Deep Run High School, Glen Allen High School, Mills Godwin High School

Pass Rate

80%
78%

Commute

Charlottesville is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~15 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Charlottesville (I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250), Henrico (I-64, I-95, I-295).

Charlottesville

VA

Henrico

VA

Drive to Downtown

~10 min

~15 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250

I-64, I-95, I-295, Rt 250, Rt 33

Commuter Rail

None

None

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charlottesville or Henrico more affordable?

Henrico is more affordable with a median home price of $370K, compared to $400K in Charlottesville. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Charlottesville prices range from $175K–$2M. Henrico prices range from $150K–$1.2M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Charlottesville and Henrico?

Charlottesville public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Henrico has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Charlottesville include Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School; in Henrico, Deep Run High School and Glen Allen 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 Henrico?

Charlottesville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~15 minutes. Charlottesville has no direct Metro access. Henrico has no direct Metro access.

How do Charlottesville and Henrico 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. Henrico County is a major Richmond suburb offering diverse neighborhoods from the urban-adjacent West End to the rural eastern reaches. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

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 June 2026.

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Charlottesville vs Henrico: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover