City Comparison

Frederick vs Vienna: How they compare

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Frederick's median sold price is $450K with homes averaging 34 days on market; Vienna is at $1.1M and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Vienna is pricier ($1.1M median vs $450K), a difference of about $670K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 31 days on market compared to 34 in Frederick. Frederick offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1M.

Frederick

MD

Vienna

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$450K

$1.1M

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

34 days

31 days

Price Range

$200K–$1M

$500K–$2.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Urbana, Spring Ridge

Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights

Schools

Frederick has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Frederick schools | See Vienna schools

Frederick

MD

Vienna

VA

Avg Pass Rate

79%

92%

Public schools

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

James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary

Pass Rate

79%
92%

Commute

Vienna is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Frederick (I-70, I-270, Rt 15), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).

Frederick

MD

Vienna

VA

Drive to Downtown

~60 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

N/A

Orange

Major Highways

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

I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

MARC (Brunswick Line)

None

Walkability

Vienna is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 42 in Frederick. Transit scores: Frederick (12) vs Vienna (30). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Frederick and Downtown Vienna score much higher than suburban areas.

Frederick

MD

Vienna

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

30

Bike Score

45

48

Safety

Vienna is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 55% below Virginia average. Frederick is rated "Average" (8% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Frederick

MD

Vienna

VA

Safety Rating

Average
Very Safe

Violent Crime

1.5/1K

0.4/1K

Property Crime

16.8/1K

7.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

8% above Virginia average

55% below Virginia average

MD

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frederick or Vienna more affordable?

Frederick is more affordable with a median sold price of $450K, compared to $1.1M in Vienna (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Frederick prices range from $200K–$1M. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.

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

Frederick public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Frederick include Urbana High School and Oakdale High School; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Frederick or Vienna?

Vienna has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Frederick has no direct Metro access. Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

How do Frederick and Vienna compare?

Frederick is a historic city with a thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and growing tech presence. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 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 August 2026.

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Frederick vs Vienna: Median $450K vs $1.1M (2026) | smover