City Comparison

Fredericksburg vs Germantown: How they compare

Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, with a range of home prices, retail, parks, and access to the I-270 corridor. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Fredericksburg's median sold price is $470K with homes averaging 37 days on market; Germantown is at $430K and 33 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Fredericksburg is pricier ($470K median vs $430K), a difference of about $40K. Germantown moves faster, with homes averaging 33 days on market compared to 37 in Fredericksburg. Germantown offers a lower entry point at $175K–$850K.

Fredericksburg

VA

Germantown

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$470K

$430K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

37 days

33 days

Price Range

$151K–$3.8M

$175K–$850K

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown, College Heights, Idlewild, Braehead

Churchill Village, Clopper's Mill, Gunners Lake, Kings Valley

Schools

Fredericksburg has a 73% average SOL pass rate; Germantown has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School; in Germantown, Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School. See Fredericksburg schools | See Germantown schools

Fredericksburg

VA

Germantown

MD

Avg Pass Rate

73%

78%

Public schools

James Monroe High School, Walker-Grant Middle School

Northwest High School, Seneca Valley High School, Roberto Clemente Middle School

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

Commute

Germantown is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Fredericksburg (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3), Germantown (I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355).

Fredericksburg

VA

Germantown

MD

Drive to Downtown

~65 min

~40 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3

I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Walkability

Fredericksburg is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 28 in Germantown. Transit scores: Fredericksburg (12) vs Germantown (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown and Churchill Village score much higher than suburban areas.

Fredericksburg

VA

Germantown

MD

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
28Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

22

Bike Score

38

32

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Fredericksburg and Germantown. 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.

Fredericksburg

VA

Germantown

MD

Reported Violent Crime

2.8/1K

1/1K

Reported Property Crime

22.1/1K

12.5/1K

VA

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MD

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fredericksburg or Germantown more affordable?

Germantown is more affordable with a median sold price of $430K, compared to $470K in Fredericksburg (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. Fredericksburg prices range from $151K–$3.8M. Germantown prices range from $175K–$850K.

What are the public-school pass rates in Fredericksburg and Germantown?

Fredericksburg public schools have a 73% average SOL pass rate; Germantown has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School; in Germantown, Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Fredericksburg or Germantown?

Germantown has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Fredericksburg has no direct Metro access. Germantown has no direct Metro access.

How do Fredericksburg and Germantown compare?

Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, with a range of home prices, retail, parks, and access to the I-270 corridor. 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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