City Comparison

Fredericksburg vs Williamsburg: How they compare

Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. 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

Fredericksburg's median sold price is $470K with homes averaging 37 days on market; Williamsburg is at $510K and 46 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Williamsburg is pricier ($510K median vs $470K), a difference of about $40K. Fredericksburg moves faster, with homes averaging 37 days on market compared to 46 in Williamsburg. Fredericksburg offers a lower entry point at $151K–$3.8M.

Fredericksburg

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$470K

$510K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

37 days

46 days

Price Range

$151K–$3.8M

$150K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown, College Heights, Idlewild, Braehead

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

Schools

Fredericksburg has a 73% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill High School. See Fredericksburg schools | See Williamsburg schools

Fredericksburg

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

73%

84%

Public schools

James Monroe High School, Walker-Grant Middle 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 ~65 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Fredericksburg (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3), Williamsburg (I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199).

Fredericksburg

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~65 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3

I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

Walkability

Fredericksburg is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 35 in Williamsburg. Transit scores: Fredericksburg (12) vs Williamsburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown and Colonial Williamsburg score much higher than suburban areas.

Fredericksburg

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
35Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

10

Bike Score

38

42

Reported Crime Data

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

Fredericksburg

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Reported Violent Crime

2.8/1K

1.2/1K

Reported Property Crime

22.1/1K

15.2/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fredericksburg or Williamsburg more affordable?

Fredericksburg is more affordable with a median sold price of $470K, compared to $510K in Williamsburg (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. Williamsburg prices range from $150K–$1.5M.

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

Fredericksburg public schools have a 73% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle 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, Fredericksburg or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Fredericksburg has no direct Metro access. Williamsburg has no direct Metro access.

How do Fredericksburg and Williamsburg compare?

Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. 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.

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