City Comparison

Chesterfield vs Rockville: 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. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Rockville is pricier ($560K median vs $350K), a difference of about $210K. Both cities average 17 days on market. Chesterfield offers a lower entry point at $150K–$900K.

Chesterfield

VA

Rockville

MD

Median Price

$350K

$560K

Avg Days on Market

17 days

17 days

Price Range

$150K–$900K

$200K–$1.8M

Top Neighborhoods

Midlothian, Brandermill, Woodlake, Moseley

Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove

Schools

Chesterfield has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesterfield include Cosby High School and Clover Hill High School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Chesterfield schools | See Rockville schools

Chesterfield

VA

Rockville

MD

Avg Pass Rate

79%

85%

Public schools

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

Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School

Pass Rate

79%
85%

Commute

Chesterfield is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Major highway access: Chesterfield (I-95, I-295, Rt 1), Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355).

Chesterfield

VA

Rockville

MD

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)

Metro Lines

N/A

Red

Major Highways

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

I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

None

MARC (Brunswick Line)

VA

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MD

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See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chesterfield or Rockville more affordable?

Chesterfield is more affordable with a median home price of $350K, compared to $560K in Rockville. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chesterfield prices range from $150K–$900K. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.

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

Chesterfield public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesterfield include Cosby High School and Clover Hill High School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Chesterfield or Rockville?

Chesterfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Chesterfield has no direct Metro access. Rockville has Metro access (Rockville).

How do Chesterfield and Rockville 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. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. 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 Rockville: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover