City Comparison

Charlottesville vs Warrenton: 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. Warrenton is the county seat of Fauquier County, known for its equestrian culture, charming Old Town, and rolling countryside. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Warrenton is pricier ($500K median vs $400K), a difference of about $100K. Charlottesville moves faster, with homes averaging 22 days on market compared to 28 in Warrenton. Charlottesville offers a lower entry point at $175K–$2M.

Charlottesville

VA

Warrenton

VA

Median Price

$400K

$500K

Avg Days on Market

22 days

28 days

Price Range

$175K–$2M

$225K–$2M

Top Neighborhoods

Downtown Mall, Belmont, North Downtown, Barracks Road

Old Town Warrenton, Blackwell, Vint Hill, Rittenour

Schools

Charlottesville has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Warrenton has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Charlottesville include Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School; in Warrenton, Fauquier High School and Taylor Middle School. See Charlottesville schools | See Warrenton schools

Charlottesville

VA

Warrenton

VA

Avg Pass Rate

80%

78%

Public schools

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

Fauquier High School, Taylor Middle School, Brumfield Elementary

Pass Rate

80%
78%

Commute

Charlottesville is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Charlottesville (I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250), Warrenton (Rt 29, Rt 17, Rt 211).

Charlottesville

VA

Warrenton

VA

Drive to Downtown

~10 min

~60 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250

Rt 29, Rt 17, Rt 211, Rt 15/29

Commuter Rail

None

None

Walkability

Charlottesville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 48 (Car-Dependent), compared to 32 in Warrenton. Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Mall and Old Town Warrenton score much higher than suburban areas.

Charlottesville

VA

Warrenton

VA

Walk Score

48Car-Dependent
32Car-Dependent

Bike Score

58

28

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charlottesville or Warrenton more affordable?

Charlottesville is more affordable with a median home price of $400K, compared to $500K in Warrenton. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Charlottesville prices range from $175K–$2M. Warrenton prices range from $225K–$2M.

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

Charlottesville public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Warrenton has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Charlottesville include Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School; in Warrenton, Fauquier High School and Taylor Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Charlottesville or Warrenton?

Charlottesville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Charlottesville has no direct Metro access. Warrenton has no direct Metro access.

How do Charlottesville and Warrenton 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. Warrenton is the county seat of Fauquier County, known for its equestrian culture, charming Old Town, and rolling countryside. 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 Warrenton: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover