Market Overview
Fairfax's median sold price is $765K with homes averaging 26 days on market; Richmond is at $390K and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Fairfax is pricier ($765K median vs $390K), a difference of about $375K. Fairfax moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 31 in Richmond. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.
Fairfax
VA
Richmond
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$765K
$390K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
26 days
31 days
Price Range
$350K–$1.5M
$125K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills
The Fan, Carytown, Church Hill, Scott's Addition
Schools
Fairfax has a 87% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fairfax include Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School. See Fairfax schools | See Richmond schools
Fairfax
VA
Richmond
VA
Avg Pass Rate
87%
67%
Public schools
Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech, Langley High School, McLean High School
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Open High School, Thomas Jefferson High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Richmond is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Fairfax has 2 Metro stations, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Fairfax (I-66, I-495, Rt 50), Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195).
Fairfax
VA
Richmond
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~10 min
Metro Stations
2 Metro stations (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)
No Metro access
Metro Lines
Orange
N/A
Major Highways
I-66, I-495, Rt 50, Rt 29
I-95, I-64, I-195, Rt 1, Rt 301
Commuter Rail
None
None
Walkability
Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 50 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 35 in Fairfax. Transit scores: Fairfax (28) vs Richmond (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Mantua and The Fan score much higher than suburban areas.
Fairfax
VA
Richmond
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
28
28
Bike Score
42
52
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Fairfax and Richmond. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.
Fairfax
VA
Richmond
VA
Reported Violent Crime
0.8/1K
5.8/1K
Reported Property Crime
10.2/1K
25.2/1K
VA
Search homes in Fairfax
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesVA
Search homes in Richmond
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesDecided between Fairfax and Richmond? See how buying a home works on smover.
Related Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairfax or Richmond more affordable?
Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $390K, 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. Fairfax prices range from $350K–$1.5M. Richmond prices range from $125K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Fairfax and Richmond?
Fairfax public schools have a 87% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fairfax include Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Fairfax or Richmond?
Richmond has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU). Richmond has no direct Metro access.
How do Fairfax and Richmond compare?
Fairfax combines public-school access, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. 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.