City Comparison

Dumfries vs Herndon: How they compare

Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Herndon is pricier ($710K median vs $450K), a difference of about $260K. Dumfries moves faster, with homes averaging 20 days on market compared to 23 in Herndon. Dumfries offers a lower entry point at $200K–$750K.

Dumfries

VA

Herndon

VA

Median Price

$450K

$710K

Avg Days on Market

20 days

23 days

Price Range

$200K–$750K

$175K–$2.2M

Top Neighborhoods

Montclair, Potomac Club, Triangle, Cherry Hill

Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster

Schools

Dumfries has a 71% average SOL pass rate; Herndon has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Dumfries include Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School; in Herndon, Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. See Dumfries schools | See Herndon schools

Dumfries

VA

Herndon

VA

Avg Pass Rate

71%

80%

Public schools

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

Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary

Pass Rate

71%
80%

Commute

Herndon is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Dumfries (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234), Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28).

Dumfries

VA

Herndon

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Herndon)

Metro Lines

N/A

Silver

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234

Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dumfries or Herndon more affordable?

Dumfries is more affordable with a median home price of $450K, compared to $710K in Herndon. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Dumfries prices range from $200K–$750K. Herndon prices range from $175K–$2.2M.

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

Dumfries public schools have a 71% average SOL pass rate; Herndon has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Dumfries include Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School; in Herndon, Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Dumfries or Herndon?

Herndon has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Dumfries has no direct Metro access. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon).

How do Dumfries and Herndon compare?

Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. 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 July 2026.

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Dumfries vs Herndon: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover