City Comparison

Frederick vs Springfield: How they compare

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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; Springfield is at $689K and 23 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Springfield is pricier ($689K median vs $450K), a difference of about $239K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 23 days on market compared to 35 in Frederick. Frederick offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1M.

Frederick

MD

Springfield

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$450K

$689K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

35 days

23 days

Price Range

$200K–$1M

$210K–$1.7M

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Urbana, Spring Ridge

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Frederick has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Frederick schools | See Springfield schools

Frederick

MD

Springfield

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

82%

Public schools

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

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving Middle School

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

Commute

Springfield is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Frederick (I-70, I-270, Rt 15), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Frederick

MD

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~60 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

N/A

Blue

Major Highways

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

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

Commuter Rail

MARC (Brunswick Line)

None

Walkability

Frederick is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 32 in Springfield. Transit scores: Frederick (12) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Frederick and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Frederick

MD

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

28

Bike Score

45

38

Reported Crime Data

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

Springfield

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.5/1K

0.7/1K

Reported Property Crime

16.8/1K

10.1/1K

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frederick or Springfield more affordable?

Frederick is more affordable with a median sold price of $450K, compared to $689K in Springfield (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. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

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

Frederick public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee 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 Springfield?

Springfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Frederick has no direct Metro access. Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield).

How do Frederick and Springfield compare?

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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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