City Comparison

Fredericksburg vs Rockville: How they compare

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

Fredericksburg's median sold price is $470K with homes averaging 35 days on market; Rockville is at $641K and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Rockville is pricier ($641K median vs $470K), a difference of about $171K. Rockville moves faster, with homes averaging 31 days on market compared to 35 in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg offers a lower entry point at $151K–$3.8M.

Fredericksburg

VA

Rockville

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$470K

$641K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

35 days

31 days

Price Range

$151K–$3.8M

$200K–$1.8M

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown, College Heights, Idlewild, Braehead

Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove

Schools

Fredericksburg has a 73% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Fredericksburg schools | See Rockville schools

Fredericksburg

VA

Rockville

MD

Avg Pass Rate

73%

85%

Public 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 $470K home in Fredericksburg, you would pay ~$3,995/yr in property tax. In Rockville, a $641K home costs ~$6,333/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

$3,995/yr

$6,333/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 sold price of $470K, compared to $641K in Rockville (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 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. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.

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

Fredericksburg public schools have a 73% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton 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 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 (~$3,995/yr on a $470K home). Rockville's rate is $0.988 per $100 (~$6,333/yr on a $641K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Fredericksburg and Rockville compare?

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 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.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 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 August 2026.

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Fredericksburg vs Rockville: $470K vs $641K (2026) | smover