City Comparison

Chesterfield vs Suffolk: How they compare

Chesterfield County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Richmond metro, with new construction and a range of housing prices south of the James River. Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, offering a mix of new construction communities and rural charm. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Suffolk is pricier ($370K median vs $350K), a difference of about $20K. Chesterfield moves faster, with homes averaging 17 days on market compared to 24 in Suffolk. Chesterfield offers a lower entry point at $150K–$900K.

Chesterfield

VA

Suffolk

VA

Median Price

$350K

$370K

Avg Days on Market

17 days

24 days

Price Range

$150K–$900K

$175K–$800K

Notable Neighborhoods

Midlothian, Brandermill, Woodlake, Moseley

Harbour View, Bennetts Creek, Godwin Boulevard, Riverfront

Schools

Chesterfield has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Suffolk has 72% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesterfield include Cosby High School and Clover Hill High School; in Suffolk, Nansemond River High School and King's Fork High School. See Chesterfield schools | See Suffolk schools

Chesterfield

VA

Suffolk

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

72%

Public schools

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

Nansemond River High School, King's Fork High School, Lakeland High School

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

Commute

Chesterfield is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Chesterfield (I-95, I-295, Rt 1), Suffolk (Rt 58, Rt 13, Rt 460).

Chesterfield

VA

Suffolk

VA

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~30 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

Rt 58, Rt 13, Rt 460, I-664

Commuter Rail

None

None

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chesterfield or Suffolk more affordable?

Chesterfield is more affordable with a median home price of $350K, compared to $370K in Suffolk. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chesterfield prices range from $150K–$900K. Suffolk prices range from $175K–$800K.

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

Chesterfield public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Suffolk has 72% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesterfield include Cosby High School and Clover Hill High School; in Suffolk, Nansemond River High School and King's Fork 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 Suffolk?

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

How do Chesterfield and Suffolk compare?

Chesterfield County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Richmond metro, with new construction and a range of housing prices south of the James River. Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, offering a mix of new construction communities and rural charm. 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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