City Comparison

Charlottesville vs Leesburg: 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. Leesburg blends colonial history with modern amenities. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

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

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 ~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

48Car-Dependent
38Car-Dependent

Transit Score

18

10

Bike Score

58

42

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Charlottesville and Leesburg. 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

Leesburg

VA

Reported Violent Crime

2.5/1K

0.5/1K

Reported Property Crime

19.8/1K

7.8/1K

VA

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Related Comparisons

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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 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.

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