City Comparison

Frederick vs Germantown: How they compare

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, with a range of home prices, retail, parks, and access to the I-270 corridor. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Frederick's median sold price is $450K with homes averaging 35 days on market; Germantown is at $430K and 33 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Frederick is pricier ($450K median vs $430K), a difference of about $20K. Germantown moves faster, with homes averaging 33 days on market compared to 35 in Frederick. Germantown offers a lower entry point at $175K–$850K.

Frederick

MD

Germantown

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$450K

$430K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

35 days

33 days

Price Range

$200K–$1M

$175K–$850K

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Urbana, Spring Ridge

Churchill Village, Clopper's Mill, Gunners Lake, Kings Valley

Schools

Frederick has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Germantown has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School; in Germantown, Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School. See Frederick schools | See Germantown schools

Frederick

MD

Germantown

MD

Avg Pass Rate

79%

78%

Public schools

Urbana High School, Oakdale High School, Gov. Thomas Johnson High School

Northwest High School, Seneca Valley High School, Roberto Clemente Middle School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Germantown is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Frederick (I-70, I-270, Rt 15), Germantown (I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355).

Frederick

MD

Germantown

MD

Drive to Downtown

~60 min

~40 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-70, I-270, Rt 15, Rt 340

I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355

Commuter Rail

MARC (Brunswick Line)

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Walkability

Frederick is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 28 in Germantown. Transit scores: Frederick (12) vs Germantown (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Frederick and Churchill Village score much higher than suburban areas.

Frederick

MD

Germantown

MD

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
28Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

22

Bike Score

45

32

Reported Crime Data

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

Frederick

MD

Germantown

MD

Reported Violent Crime

1.5/1K

1/1K

Reported Property Crime

16.8/1K

12.5/1K

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frederick or Germantown more affordable?

Germantown is more affordable with a median sold price of $430K, compared to $450K in Frederick (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. Frederick prices range from $200K–$1M. Germantown prices range from $175K–$850K.

What are the public-school pass rates in Frederick and Germantown?

Frederick public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Germantown has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School; in Germantown, Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Frederick or Germantown?

Germantown has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Frederick has no direct Metro access. Germantown has no direct Metro access.

How do Frederick and Germantown compare?

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, with a range of home prices, retail, parks, and access to the I-270 corridor. 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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