City Comparison

Chesapeake vs Springfield: How they compare

Chesapeake is a sprawling Hampton Roads city offering spacious homes, public schools, and access to the Great Dismal Swamp. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Springfield is pricier ($703K median vs $380K), a difference of about $323K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 22 in Chesapeake. Chesapeake offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1M.

Chesapeake

VA

Springfield

VA

Median Price

$380K

$703K

Avg Days on Market

22 days

16 days

Price Range

$175K–$1M

$210K–$1.7M

Notable Neighborhoods

Great Bridge, Greenbrier, Hickory, Western Branch

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Chesapeake has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesapeake include Grassfield High School and Hickory High School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Chesapeake schools | See Springfield schools

Chesapeake

VA

Springfield

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

82%

Public schools

Grassfield High School, Hickory High School, Oscar F. Smith High School

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving Middle School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Chesapeake is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Chesapeake (I-64, I-464, I-264), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Chesapeake

VA

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

N/A

Blue

Major Highways

I-64, I-464, I-264, Rt 168, Rt 17

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

Commuter Rail

None

None

Walkability

Springfield is more walkable with a Walk Score of 32 (Car-Dependent), compared to 18 in Chesapeake. Transit scores: Chesapeake (8) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Great Bridge and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Chesapeake

VA

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

18Almost All Errands Require a Car
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

8

28

Bike Score

22

38

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Chesapeake and Springfield. 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.

Chesapeake

VA

Springfield

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.2/1K

0.7/1K

Reported Property Crime

13.5/1K

10.1/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chesapeake or Springfield more affordable?

Chesapeake is more affordable with a median home price of $380K, compared to $703K in Springfield. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chesapeake prices range from $175K–$1M. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Chesapeake and Springfield?

Chesapeake public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesapeake include Grassfield High School and Hickory High School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Chesapeake or Springfield?

Chesapeake has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Chesapeake has no direct Metro access. Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield).

How do Chesapeake and Springfield compare?

Chesapeake is a sprawling Hampton Roads city offering spacious homes, public schools, and access to the Great Dismal Swamp. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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.

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 September 2026.

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