City Comparison

Frederick vs Stafford: How they compare

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. 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; Stafford is at $545K and 37 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Stafford is pricier ($545K median vs $450K), a difference of about $95K. Frederick moves faster, with homes averaging 35 days on market compared to 37 in Stafford. Frederick offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1M.

Frederick

MD

Stafford

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$450K

$545K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

35 days

37 days

Price Range

$200K–$1M

$108K–$1.3M

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Urbana, Spring Ridge

Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek

Schools

Frederick has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. See Frederick schools | See Stafford schools

Frederick

MD

Stafford

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

77%

Public schools

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

North Stafford High School, Mountain View High School, Stafford High School

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

Commute

Stafford is closer to downtown at ~55 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Frederick (I-70, I-270, Rt 15), Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610).

Frederick

MD

Stafford

VA

Drive to Downtown

~60 min

~55 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, Rt 1, Rt 610

Commuter Rail

MARC (Brunswick Line)

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Walkability

Frederick is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Stafford. Transit scores: Frederick (12) vs Stafford (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Frederick and Aquia Harbour score much higher than suburban areas.

Frederick

MD

Stafford

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
15Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

12

8

Bike Score

45

18

Reported Crime Data

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

Stafford

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.5/1K

0.9/1K

Reported Property Crime

16.8/1K

10.8/1K

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frederick or Stafford more affordable?

Frederick is more affordable with a median sold price of $450K, compared to $545K in Stafford (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. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M.

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

Frederick public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View 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 Stafford?

Stafford has the shorter commute to downtown at ~55 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Frederick has no direct Metro access. Stafford has no direct Metro access.

How do Frederick and Stafford compare?

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. 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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