City Comparison

Fairfax vs Williamsburg: How they compare

Fairfax combines public-school access, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. 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; Williamsburg is at $510K and 46 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Fairfax is pricier ($765K median vs $510K), a difference of about $255K. Fairfax moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 46 in Williamsburg. Williamsburg offers a lower entry point at $150K–$1.5M.

Fairfax

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$765K

$510K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

26 days

46 days

Price Range

$350K–$1.5M

$150K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills

Colonial Williamsburg, Kingsmill, New Town, Ford's Colony

Schools

Fairfax has a 87% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fairfax include Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill High School. See Fairfax schools | See Williamsburg schools

Fairfax

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

87%

84%

Public schools

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

Lafayette High School, Warhill High School, Berkeley Middle School

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

Commute

Williamsburg is closer to downtown at ~25 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), Williamsburg (I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199).

Fairfax

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~25 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-64, Rt 60, Rt 199

Commuter Rail

None

None

Walkability

Williamsburg is more walkable with a Walk Score of 35 (Car-Dependent), compared to 35 in Fairfax. Transit scores: Fairfax (28) vs Williamsburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Mantua and Colonial Williamsburg score much higher than suburban areas.

Fairfax

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Walk Score

35Car-Dependent
35Car-Dependent

Transit Score

28

10

Bike Score

42

42

Reported Crime Data

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

Williamsburg

VA

Reported Violent Crime

0.8/1K

1.2/1K

Reported Property Crime

10.2/1K

15.2/1K

VA

Search homes in Fairfax

See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.

View homes

VA

Search homes in Williamsburg

See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.

View homes

Decided between Fairfax and Williamsburg? See how buying a home works on smover.

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fairfax or Williamsburg more affordable?

Williamsburg is more affordable with a median sold price of $510K, 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. Williamsburg prices range from $150K–$1.5M.

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

Fairfax public schools have a 87% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fairfax include Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill 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 Williamsburg?

Williamsburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU). Williamsburg has no direct Metro access.

How do Fairfax and Williamsburg compare?

Fairfax combines public-school access, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. 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.

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.

Search, save, choose your people, and organize the dates, documents, and updates that follow.