City Comparison

Charlottesville vs McLean: 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. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. 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; McLean is at $1.4M and 41 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). McLean is pricier ($1.4M median vs $535K), a difference of about $815K. McLean moves faster, with homes averaging 41 days on market compared to 45 in Charlottesville. Charlottesville offers a lower entry point at $175K–$2M.

Charlottesville

VA

McLean

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$535K

$1.4M

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

45 days

41 days

Price Range

$175K–$2M

$700K–$5M+

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown Mall, Belmont, North Downtown, Barracks Road

Langley Farms, Chain Bridge Forest, Broyhill Langley Estates, McLean Hamlet

Walkability

Charlottesville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 48 (Car-Dependent), compared to 28 in McLean. Transit scores: Charlottesville (18) vs McLean (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Mall and Langley Farms score much higher than suburban areas.

Charlottesville

VA

McLean

VA

Walk Score

48Car-Dependent
28Car-Dependent

Transit Score

18

22

Bike Score

58

32

Reported Crime Data

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

McLean

VA

Reported Violent Crime

2.5/1K

0.3/1K

Reported Property Crime

19.8/1K

6.5/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charlottesville or McLean more affordable?

Charlottesville is more affordable with a median sold price of $535K, compared to $1.4M in McLean (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. McLean prices range from $700K–$5M+.

How do Charlottesville and McLean 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. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. 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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