City Comparison

Frederick vs Henrico: Which is right for your family?

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Henrico County is a major Richmond suburb offering diverse neighborhoods from the urban-adjacent West End to the rural eastern reaches. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Frederick is pricier ($420K median vs $370K), a difference of about $50K. Henrico moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 20 in Frederick. Henrico offers a lower entry point at $150K–$1.2M.

Frederick

MD

Henrico

VA

Median Price

$420K

$370K

Avg Days on Market

20 days

16 days

Price Range

$200K–$1M

$150K–$1.2M

Top Neighborhoods

Downtown Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Urbana, Spring Ridge

Short Pump, Glen Allen, West End, Innsbrook

Schools

Frederick leads on school quality with a 79% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 78% in Henrico. Top schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School. In Henrico, families look to Deep Run High School and Glen Allen High School. See Frederick schools | See Henrico schools

Frederick

MD

Henrico

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

79%

78%

Top Schools

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

Deep Run High School, Glen Allen High School, Mills Godwin High School

Pass Rate

79%
78%

Commute

Henrico is closer to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Frederick (I-70, I-270, Rt 15), Henrico (I-64, I-95, I-295).

Frederick

MD

Henrico

VA

Drive to Downtown

~60 min

~15 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-64, I-95, I-295, Rt 250, Rt 33

Commuter Rail

MARC (Brunswick Line)

None

MD

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frederick or Henrico more affordable?

Henrico is more affordable with a median home price of $370K, compared to $420K in Frederick. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Frederick prices range from $200K–$1M. Henrico prices range from $150K–$1.2M.

Which has better schools, Frederick or Henrico?

Frederick has stronger schools overall, with a 79% average pass rate compared to 78% in Henrico. Top schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School. In Henrico, standout schools include Deep Run High School and Glen Allen High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Frederick or Henrico?

Henrico has the shorter commute to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Frederick has no direct Metro access. Henrico has no direct Metro access.

Is Frederick or Henrico better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Henrico County is a major Richmond suburb offering diverse neighborhoods from the urban-adjacent West End to the rural eastern reaches. 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.