City Comparison

Fredericksburg vs Leesburg: How they compare

Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. Leesburg blends colonial history with modern amenities. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Leesburg is pricier ($870K median vs $477K), a difference of about $393K. Leesburg moves faster, with homes averaging 22 days on market compared to 29 in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg offers a lower entry point at $151K–$3.8M.

Fredericksburg

VA

Leesburg

VA

Median Price

$477K

$870K

Avg Days on Market

29 days

22 days

Price Range

$151K–$3.8M

$150K–$5.8M

Top Neighborhoods

Downtown, College Heights, Idlewild, Braehead

Lansdowne, Raspberry Falls, Beacon Hill, Edwards Ferry Road

Schools

Fredericksburg has a 73% average SOL pass rate; Leesburg has 88% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School; in Leesburg, Tuscarora High School and Heritage High School. See Fredericksburg schools | See Leesburg schools

Fredericksburg

VA

Leesburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

73%

88%

Public schools

James Monroe High School, Walker-Grant Middle School

Tuscarora High School, Heritage High School, Smart's Mill Middle School

Pass Rate

73%
88%

Commute

Leesburg is closer to downtown at ~50 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Fredericksburg (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3), Leesburg (Rt 7, Rt 15, Dulles Greenway).

Fredericksburg

VA

Leesburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~65 min

~50 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3

Rt 7, Rt 15, Dulles Greenway

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

Property Tax

On a $477K home in Fredericksburg, you would pay ~$4,055/yr in property tax. In Leesburg, a $870K home costs ~$7,569/yr. Fredericksburg has the lower rate at $0.850 per $100 of assessed value.

Fredericksburg

VA

Leesburg

VA

Rate per $100

$0.850

$0.870

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$4,055/yr

$7,569/yr

Notes

None

Loudoun County rate; Town of Leesburg adds $0.165

Walkability

Fredericksburg is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 38 in Leesburg. Transit scores: Fredericksburg (12) vs Leesburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown and Lansdowne score much higher than suburban areas.

Fredericksburg

VA

Leesburg

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
38Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

10

Bike Score

38

42

Safety

Leesburg is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 51% below Virginia average. Fredericksburg is rated "Below Average" (47% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Fredericksburg

VA

Leesburg

VA

Safety Rating

Below Average
Very Safe

Violent Crime

2.8/1K

0.5/1K

Property Crime

22.1/1K

7.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

47% above Virginia average

51% below Virginia average

VA

Find agents in Fredericksburg

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Fredericksburg.

View agents

VA

Find agents in Leesburg

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Leesburg.

View agents

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fredericksburg or Leesburg more affordable?

Fredericksburg is more affordable with a median home price of $477K, compared to $870K in Leesburg. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Fredericksburg prices range from $151K–$3.8M. Leesburg prices range from $150K–$5.8M.

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

Fredericksburg public schools have a 73% average SOL pass rate; Leesburg has 88% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School; in Leesburg, Tuscarora High School and Heritage 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 Leesburg?

Leesburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~50 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Fredericksburg has no direct Metro access. Leesburg has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Fredericksburg vs Leesburg?

Fredericksburg has a property tax rate of $0.850 per $100 (~$4,055/yr on a $477K home). Leesburg's rate is $0.870 per $100 (~$7,569/yr on a $870K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Fredericksburg and Leesburg compare?

Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. Leesburg blends colonial history with modern amenities. 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.

Fredericksburg vs Leesburg: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover