Market Overview
Charlottesville's median sold price is $535K with homes averaging 45 days on market; Leesburg is at $805K and 27 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Leesburg is pricier ($805K median vs $535K), a difference of about $270K. Leesburg moves faster, with homes averaging 27 days on market compared to 45 in Charlottesville. Charlottesville offers a lower entry point at $175K–$2M.
Charlottesville
VA
Leesburg
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$535K
$805K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
45 days
27 days
Price Range
$175K–$2M
$150K–$5.8M
Notable Neighborhoods
Downtown Mall, Belmont, North Downtown, Barracks Road
Lansdowne, Raspberry Falls, Beacon Hill, Edwards Ferry Road
Schools
Charlottesville has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Leesburg has 88% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Charlottesville include Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School; in Leesburg, Tuscarora High School and Heritage High School. See Charlottesville schools | See Leesburg schools
Charlottesville
VA
Leesburg
VA
Avg Pass Rate
80%
88%
Public schools
Charlottesville High School, Buford Middle School, Jackson-Via Elementary
Tuscarora High School, Heritage High School, Smart's Mill Middle School
Pass Rate
Commute
Charlottesville is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Charlottesville (I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250), Leesburg (Rt 7, Rt 15, Dulles Greenway).
Charlottesville
VA
Leesburg
VA
Drive to Downtown
~10 min
~50 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
No Metro access
Metro Lines
N/A
N/A
Major Highways
I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250
Rt 7, Rt 15, Dulles Greenway
Commuter Rail
None
None
Walkability
Charlottesville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 48 (Car-Dependent), compared to 38 in Leesburg. Transit scores: Charlottesville (18) vs Leesburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Mall and Lansdowne score much higher than suburban areas.
Charlottesville
VA
Leesburg
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
18
10
Bike Score
58
42
Safety
Leesburg is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 51% below Virginia average. Charlottesville is rated "Below Average" (32% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.
Charlottesville
VA
Leesburg
VA
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
2.5/1K
0.5/1K
Property Crime
19.8/1K
7.8/1K
vs Virginia Avg
32% above Virginia average
51% below Virginia average
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlottesville or Leesburg more affordable?
Charlottesville is more affordable with a median sold price of $535K, compared to $805K in Leesburg (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. Leesburg prices range from $150K–$5.8M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Charlottesville and Leesburg?
Charlottesville public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Leesburg has 88% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Charlottesville include Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School; in Leesburg, Tuscarora High School and Heritage 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 Leesburg?
Charlottesville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Charlottesville has no direct Metro access. Leesburg has no direct Metro access.
How do Charlottesville and Leesburg 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. Leesburg blends colonial history with modern amenities. 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.
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 August 2026.