City Comparison

Fredericksburg vs Woodbridge: Which is right for your family?

Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. Woodbridge is the commercial heart of eastern Prince William County. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Woodbridge is pricier ($507K median vs $477K), a difference of about $30K. Woodbridge 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

Woodbridge

VA

Median Price

$477K

$507K

Avg Days on Market

29 days

22 days

Price Range

$151K–$3.8M

$145K–$2.9M

Top Neighborhoods

Downtown, College Heights, Idlewild, Braehead

Dale City, Lake Ridge, Occoquan, Potomac Mills

Schools

Woodbridge leads on school quality with a 73% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 73% in Fredericksburg. Top schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School. In Woodbridge, families look to Woodbridge High School and Gar-Field High School. See Fredericksburg schools | See Woodbridge schools

Fredericksburg

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

73%

73%

Top Schools

James Monroe High School, Walker-Grant Middle School

Woodbridge High School, Gar-Field High School, Rippon Middle School

Pass Rate

73%
73%

Commute

Woodbridge 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), Woodbridge (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 123).

Fredericksburg

VA

Woodbridge

VA

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-95, Rt 1, Rt 123

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Property Tax

On a $477K home in Fredericksburg, you would pay ~$4,055/yr in property tax. In Woodbridge, a $507K home costs ~$5,222/yr. Fredericksburg has the lower rate at $0.850 per $100 of assessed value.

Fredericksburg

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Rate per $100

$0.850

$1.030

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$4,055/yr

$5,222/yr

Notes

None

Prince William County rate

Walkability

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

Fredericksburg

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
22Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

12

12

Bike Score

38

20

Safety

Woodbridge is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 11% 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

Woodbridge

VA

Safety Rating

Below Average
Safe

Violent Crime

2.8/1K

1.3/1K

Property Crime

22.1/1K

13.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

47% above Virginia average

11% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fredericksburg or Woodbridge more affordable?

Fredericksburg is more affordable with a median home price of $477K, compared to $507K in Woodbridge. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Fredericksburg prices range from $151K–$3.8M. Woodbridge prices range from $145K–$2.9M.

Which has better schools, Fredericksburg or Woodbridge?

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

Which is easier to commute from, Fredericksburg or Woodbridge?

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

What are property taxes in Fredericksburg vs Woodbridge?

Fredericksburg has a property tax rate of $0.850 per $100 (~$4,055/yr on a $477K home). Woodbridge's rate is $1.030 per $100 (~$5,222/yr on a $507K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Fredericksburg or Woodbridge 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. Woodbridge is the commercial heart of eastern Prince William County. 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.