City Comparison

Chesterfield vs Manassas: 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. Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Chesterfield's median sold price is $400K with homes averaging 37 days on market; Manassas is at $548K and 29 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Manassas is pricier ($548K median vs $400K), a difference of about $148K. Manassas moves faster, with homes averaging 29 days on market compared to 37 in Chesterfield. Chesterfield offers a lower entry point at $150K–$900K.

Chesterfield

VA

Manassas

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$400K

$548K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

37 days

29 days

Price Range

$150K–$900K

$60K–$1.9M

Notable Neighborhoods

Midlothian, Brandermill, Woodlake, Moseley

Old Town Manassas, Georgetown South, Signal Hill, Sudley

Schools

Chesterfield has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Manassas has 72% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesterfield include Cosby High School and Clover Hill High School; in Manassas, Osbourn High School and Metz Middle School. See Chesterfield schools | See Manassas schools

Chesterfield

VA

Manassas

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

72%

Public schools

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

Osbourn High School, Metz Middle School, Round Elementary

Pass Rate

79%
72%

Commute

Chesterfield is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Chesterfield (I-95, I-295, Rt 1), Manassas (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 234).

Chesterfield

VA

Manassas

VA

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~45 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-66, Rt 28, Rt 234

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Manassas line)

VA

Find agents in Chesterfield

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Chesterfield.

View agents

VA

Find agents in Manassas

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Manassas.

View agents

Decided between Chesterfield and Manassas? See how buying a home works on smover.

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chesterfield or Manassas more affordable?

Chesterfield is more affordable with a median sold price of $400K, compared to $548K in Manassas (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. Chesterfield prices range from $150K–$900K. Manassas prices range from $60K–$1.9M.

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

Chesterfield public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Manassas has 72% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesterfield include Cosby High School and Clover Hill High School; in Manassas, Osbourn High School and Metz 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 Manassas?

Chesterfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Chesterfield has no direct Metro access. Manassas has no direct Metro access.

How do Chesterfield and Manassas 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. Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. 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.

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 August 2026.

Stay ahead of the market

Join buyers, sellers, and agents across Northern Virginia getting weekly market updates, new listings, and tips. Free, every Monday.

Trusted in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and 19 more cities

Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.

Take ownership of your move.

For buyers under contract: your agent confirms the milestones. smover keeps selected documents, confirmed dates, and factual updates in one shared view.

Chesterfield vs Manassas: $400K vs $548K (2026) | smover