City Comparison

Chesterfield vs Fredericksburg: How they compare

Chesterfield County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Richmond metro, offering new construction, public schools, and affordable homes south of the James River. Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Fredericksburg is pricier ($477K median vs $350K), a difference of about $127K. Chesterfield moves faster, with homes averaging 17 days on market compared to 29 in Fredericksburg. Chesterfield offers a lower entry point at $150K–$900K.

Chesterfield

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Median Price

$350K

$477K

Avg Days on Market

17 days

29 days

Price Range

$150K–$900K

$151K–$3.8M

Top Neighborhoods

Midlothian, Brandermill, Woodlake, Moseley

Downtown, College Heights, Idlewild, Braehead

Schools

Chesterfield has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Fredericksburg has 73% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesterfield include Cosby High School and Clover Hill High School; in Fredericksburg, James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School. See Chesterfield schools | See Fredericksburg schools

Chesterfield

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

73%

Public schools

Cosby High School, Clover Hill High School, Midlothian High School

James Monroe High School, Walker-Grant Middle School

Pass Rate

79%
73%

Commute

Chesterfield is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Chesterfield (I-95, I-295, Rt 1), Fredericksburg (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3).

Chesterfield

VA

Fredericksburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~65 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-95, I-295, Rt 1, Rt 10, Rt 360

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chesterfield or Fredericksburg more affordable?

Chesterfield is more affordable with a median home price of $350K, compared to $477K in Fredericksburg. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chesterfield prices range from $150K–$900K. Fredericksburg prices range from $151K–$3.8M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Chesterfield and Fredericksburg?

Chesterfield public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Fredericksburg has 73% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesterfield include Cosby High School and Clover Hill High School; in Fredericksburg, James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Chesterfield or Fredericksburg?

Chesterfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Chesterfield has no direct Metro access. Fredericksburg has no direct Metro access.

How do Chesterfield and Fredericksburg compare?

Chesterfield County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Richmond metro, offering new construction, public schools, and affordable homes south of the James River. Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. 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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Chesterfield vs Fredericksburg: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover