City Comparison

Fredericksburg vs Rockville: Which is right for your family?

Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Rockville is pricier ($560K median vs $477K), a difference of about $83K. Rockville moves faster, with homes averaging 17 days on market compared to 29 in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg offers a lower entry point at $151K–$3.8M.

Fredericksburg

VA

Rockville

MD

Median Price

$477K

$560K

Avg Days on Market

29 days

17 days

Price Range

$151K–$3.8M

$200K–$1.8M

Top Neighborhoods

Downtown, College Heights, Idlewild, Braehead

Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove

Schools

Rockville leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 73% in Fredericksburg. Top schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School. In Rockville, families look to Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Fredericksburg schools | See Rockville schools

Fredericksburg

VA

Rockville

MD

Quality Tier

Strong

Excellent

Avg Pass Rate

73%

85%

Top Schools

James Monroe High School, Walker-Grant Middle School

Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School

Pass Rate

73%
85%

Commute

Rockville is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Major highway access: Fredericksburg (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3), Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355).

Fredericksburg

VA

Rockville

MD

Drive to Downtown

~65 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)

Metro Lines

N/A

Red

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3

I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Property Tax

On a $477K home in Fredericksburg, you would pay ~$4,055/yr in property tax. In Rockville, a $560K home costs ~$5,533/yr. Fredericksburg has the lower rate at $0.850 per $100 of assessed value.

Fredericksburg

VA

Rockville

MD

Rate per $100

$0.850

$0.988

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$4,055/yr

$5,533/yr

Notes

None

Montgomery County rate; City of Rockville adds $0.328

Walkability

Rockville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 42 in Fredericksburg. Transit scores: Fredericksburg (12) vs Rockville (42). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown and Rockville Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.

Fredericksburg

VA

Rockville

MD

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
52Somewhat Walkable

Transit Score

12

42

Bike Score

38

55

Safety

Rockville is rated "Average" with a total crime rate 9% 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

Rockville

MD

Safety Rating

Below Average
Average

Violent Crime

2.8/1K

1.1/1K

Property Crime

22.1/1K

14.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

47% above Virginia average

9% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fredericksburg or Rockville more affordable?

Fredericksburg is more affordable with a median home price of $477K, compared to $560K in Rockville. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Fredericksburg prices range from $151K–$3.8M. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.

Which has better schools, Fredericksburg or Rockville?

Rockville has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 73% in Fredericksburg. Top schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School. In Rockville, standout schools include Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Fredericksburg or Rockville?

Rockville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Fredericksburg has no direct Metro access. Rockville has Metro access (Rockville).

What are property taxes in Fredericksburg vs Rockville?

Fredericksburg has a property tax rate of $0.850 per $100 (~$4,055/yr on a $477K home). Rockville's rate is $0.988 per $100 (~$5,533/yr on a $560K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Fredericksburg or Rockville better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. The best choice depends on your priorities: budget, school quality, commute length, and neighborhood feel. smover can help you find a verified agent in either city who specializes in family-friendly neighborhoods.

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 March 2026.