City Comparison

Fairfax vs Vienna: How they compare

Fairfax combines public-school access, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. Vienna offers a small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity, the W&OD Trail, downtown shops, and address-based Fairfax County Public Schools assignments. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Fairfax's median sold price is $765K with homes averaging 26 days on market; Vienna is at $1.1M and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Vienna is pricier ($1.1M median vs $765K), a difference of about $358K. Fairfax moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 31 in Vienna. Fairfax offers a lower entry point at $350K–$1.5M.

Fairfax

VA

Vienna

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$765K

$1.1M

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

26 days

31 days

Price Range

$350K–$1.5M

$500K–$2.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills

Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights

Schools

Fairfax has a 87% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fairfax include Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Fairfax schools | See Vienna schools

Fairfax

VA

Vienna

VA

Avg Pass Rate

87%

92%

Public schools

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

James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary

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

Commute

Vienna is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Fairfax has 2 Metro stations, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Fairfax (I-66, I-495, Rt 50), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).

Fairfax

VA

Vienna

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

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

1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

Orange

Orange

Major Highways

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

I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $765K home in Fairfax, you would pay ~$8,492/yr in property tax. In Vienna, a $1.1M home costs ~$12,460/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Fairfax

VA

Vienna

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$8,492/yr

$12,460/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate; City of Fairfax is $1.075

Fairfax County rate; Town of Vienna adds $0.2275

Walkability

Vienna is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 35 in Fairfax. Transit scores: Fairfax (28) vs Vienna (30). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Mantua and Downtown Vienna score much higher than suburban areas.

Fairfax

VA

Vienna

VA

Walk Score

35Car-Dependent
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

28

30

Bike Score

42

48

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Fairfax and Vienna. 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

Vienna

VA

Reported Violent Crime

0.8/1K

0.4/1K

Reported Property Crime

10.2/1K

7.2/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fairfax or Vienna more affordable?

Fairfax is more affordable with a median sold price of $765K, compared to $1.1M in Vienna (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. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.

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

Fairfax public schools have a 87% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fairfax include Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Fairfax or Vienna?

Vienna has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU). Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

What are property taxes in Fairfax vs Vienna?

Fairfax has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$8,492/yr on a $765K home). Vienna's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$12,460/yr on a $1.1M home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Fairfax and Vienna compare?

Fairfax combines public-school access, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. Vienna offers a small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity, the W&OD Trail, downtown shops, and address-based Fairfax County Public Schools assignments. 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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