Market Overview
Frederick's median sold price is $450K with homes averaging 35 days on market; Richmond is at $390K and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Frederick is pricier ($450K median vs $390K), a difference of about $60K. Richmond moves faster, with homes averaging 31 days on market compared to 35 in Frederick. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.
Frederick
MD
Richmond
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$450K
$390K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
35 days
31 days
Price Range
$200K–$1M
$125K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Downtown Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Urbana, Spring Ridge
The Fan, Carytown, Church Hill, Scott's Addition
Schools
Frederick has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School. See Frederick schools | See Richmond schools
Frederick
MD
Richmond
VA
Avg Pass Rate
79%
67%
Public schools
Urbana High School, Oakdale High School, Gov. Thomas Johnson High School
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Open High School, Thomas Jefferson High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Richmond is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Frederick (I-70, I-270, Rt 15), Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195).
Frederick
MD
Richmond
VA
Drive to Downtown
~60 min
~10 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-95, I-64, I-195, Rt 1, Rt 301
Commuter Rail
MARC (Brunswick Line)
None
Walkability
Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 50 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 42 in Frederick. Transit scores: Frederick (12) vs Richmond (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Frederick and The Fan score much higher than suburban areas.
Frederick
MD
Richmond
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
12
28
Bike Score
45
52
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Frederick and Richmond. 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
Richmond
VA
Reported Violent Crime
1.5/1K
5.8/1K
Reported Property Crime
16.8/1K
25.2/1K
MD
Search homes in Frederick
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesVA
Search homes in Richmond
See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.
View homesDecided between Frederick and Richmond? See how buying a home works on smover.
Related Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frederick or Richmond more affordable?
Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $390K, 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. Richmond prices range from $125K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Frederick and Richmond?
Frederick public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open 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 Richmond?
Richmond has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Frederick has no direct Metro access. Richmond has no direct Metro access.
How do Frederick and Richmond compare?
Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. 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.