City Comparison

Gainesville vs Henrico: How they compare

Gainesville is a booming community in western Prince William County along the I-66 corridor. Henrico County is a major Richmond suburb offering diverse neighborhoods from the urban-adjacent West End to the rural eastern reaches. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Gainesville is pricier ($650K median vs $370K), a difference of about $280K. Both cities average 16 days on market. Henrico offers a lower entry point at $150K–$1.2M.

Gainesville

VA

Henrico

VA

Median Price

$650K

$370K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

16 days

Price Range

$350K–$1.2M

$150K–$1.2M

Top Neighborhoods

Heritage Hunt, Virginia Oaks, Dominion Valley, Braemar

Short Pump, Glen Allen, West End, Innsbrook

Schools

Gainesville has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Henrico has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Gainesville include Gainesville High School and Battlefield High School; in Henrico, Deep Run High School and Glen Allen High School. See Gainesville schools | See Henrico schools

Gainesville

VA

Henrico

VA

Avg Pass Rate

80%

78%

Public schools

Gainesville High School, Battlefield High School, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School

Deep Run High School, Glen Allen High School, Mills Godwin High School

Pass Rate

80%
78%

Commute

Henrico is closer to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Gainesville (I-66, Rt 29, Rt 55), Henrico (I-64, I-95, I-295).

Gainesville

VA

Henrico

VA

Drive to Downtown

~50 min

~15 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 29, Rt 55

I-64, I-95, I-295, Rt 250, Rt 33

Commuter Rail

VRE (Manassas line)

None

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gainesville or Henrico more affordable?

Henrico is more affordable with a median home price of $370K, compared to $650K in Gainesville. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Gainesville prices range from $350K–$1.2M. Henrico prices range from $150K–$1.2M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Gainesville and Henrico?

Gainesville public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Henrico has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Gainesville include Gainesville High School and Battlefield High School; in Henrico, Deep Run High School and Glen Allen High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Gainesville or Henrico?

Henrico has the shorter commute to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~50 minutes. Gainesville has no direct Metro access. Henrico has no direct Metro access.

How do Gainesville and Henrico compare?

Gainesville is a booming community in western Prince William County along the I-66 corridor. Henrico County is a major Richmond suburb offering diverse neighborhoods from the urban-adjacent West End to the rural eastern reaches. 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.

Market data verified by smover using real transaction records. 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 June 2026.

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Gainesville vs Henrico: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover