City Comparison

Dumfries vs Fairfax: How they compare

Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Fairfax combines public-school access, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Dumfries's median sold price is $595K with homes averaging 30 days on market; Fairfax is at $765K and 26 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Fairfax is pricier ($765K median vs $595K), a difference of about $170K. Fairfax moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 30 in Dumfries. Dumfries offers a lower entry point at $200K–$750K.

Dumfries

VA

Fairfax

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$595K

$765K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

30 days

26 days

Price Range

$200K–$750K

$350K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Montclair, Potomac Club, Triangle, Cherry Hill

Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills

Schools

Dumfries has a 71% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Dumfries include Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. See Dumfries schools | See Fairfax schools

Dumfries

VA

Fairfax

VA

Avg Pass Rate

71%

87%

Public schools

Forest Park High School, Graham Park Middle School, Leesylvania Elementary

Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech, Langley High School, McLean High School

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

Commute

Fairfax is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Fairfax has 2 Metro stations, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Dumfries (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234), Fairfax (I-66, I-495, Rt 50).

Dumfries

VA

Fairfax

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

N/A

Orange

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234

I-66, I-495, Rt 50, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dumfries or Fairfax more affordable?

Dumfries is more affordable with a median sold price of $595K, compared to $765K in Fairfax (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. Dumfries prices range from $200K–$750K. Fairfax prices range from $350K–$1.5M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Dumfries and Fairfax?

Dumfries public schools have a 71% average SOL pass rate; Fairfax has 87% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Dumfries include Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School; in Fairfax, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Dumfries or Fairfax?

Fairfax has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Dumfries has no direct Metro access. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

How do Dumfries and Fairfax compare?

Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Fairfax combines public-school access, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. 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.

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 September 2026.

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