City Comparison

Frederick vs McLean: How they compare

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. 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; McLean is at $1.4M and 41 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). McLean is pricier ($1.4M median vs $450K), a difference of about $900K. Frederick moves faster, with homes averaging 35 days on market compared to 41 in McLean. Frederick offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1M.

Frederick

MD

McLean

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$450K

$1.4M

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

35 days

41 days

Price Range

$200K–$1M

$700K–$5M+

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Urbana, Spring Ridge

Langley Farms, Chain Bridge Forest, Broyhill Langley Estates, McLean Hamlet

Walkability

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

Frederick

MD

McLean

VA

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 McLean. 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

McLean

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.5/1K

0.3/1K

Reported Property Crime

16.8/1K

6.5/1K

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frederick or McLean more affordable?

Frederick is more affordable with a median sold price of $450K, compared to $1.4M in McLean (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. McLean prices range from $700K–$5M+.

How do Frederick and McLean compare?

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. 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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