City Comparison

Dumfries vs Lorton: How they compare

Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Lorton is a revitalized community in southern Fairfax County, transformed by the Workhouse Arts Center and new residential development. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Lorton is pricier ($610K median vs $450K), a difference of about $160K. Lorton moves faster, with homes averaging 15 days on market compared to 20 in Dumfries. Dumfries offers a lower entry point at $200K–$750K.

Dumfries

VA

Lorton

VA

Median Price

$450K

$610K

Avg Days on Market

20 days

15 days

Price Range

$200K–$750K

$250K–$1.2M

Top Neighborhoods

Montclair, Potomac Club, Triangle, Cherry Hill

Lorton Station, Laurel Hill, Gunston, Newington

Schools

Dumfries has a 71% average SOL pass rate; Lorton has 81% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Dumfries include Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School; in Lorton, South County High School and Hayfield Secondary School. See Dumfries schools | See Lorton schools

Dumfries

VA

Lorton

VA

Avg Pass Rate

71%

81%

Public schools

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

South County High School, Hayfield Secondary School, Lorton Station Elementary

Pass Rate

71%
81%

Commute

Lorton is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Dumfries (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234), Lorton (I-95, Rt 1, Lorton Rd).

Dumfries

VA

Lorton

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234

I-95, Rt 1, Lorton Rd

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

VA

Find agents in Dumfries

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Dumfries.

View agents

VA

Find agents in Lorton

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Lorton.

View agents

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dumfries or Lorton more affordable?

Dumfries is more affordable with a median home price of $450K, compared to $610K in Lorton. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Dumfries prices range from $200K–$750K. Lorton prices range from $250K–$1.2M.

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

Dumfries public schools have a 71% average SOL pass rate; Lorton has 81% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Dumfries include Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School; in Lorton, South County High School and Hayfield Secondary School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Dumfries or Lorton?

Lorton has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Dumfries has no direct Metro access. Lorton has no direct Metro access.

How do Dumfries and Lorton compare?

Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Lorton is a revitalized community in southern Fairfax County, transformed by the Workhouse Arts Center and new residential development. 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.

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.

You choose the home, the agent, the lender. We take care of everything in between.

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