City Comparison

Germantown vs Herndon: How they compare

Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, with a range of home prices, retail, parks, and access to the I-270 corridor. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Germantown's median sold price is $430K with homes averaging 33 days on market; Herndon is at $700K and 27 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Herndon is pricier ($700K median vs $430K), a difference of about $270K. Herndon moves faster, with homes averaging 27 days on market compared to 33 in Germantown. Germantown offers a lower entry point at $175K–$850K.

Germantown

MD

Herndon

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$430K

$700K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

33 days

27 days

Price Range

$175K–$850K

$175K–$2.2M

Notable Neighborhoods

Churchill Village, Clopper's Mill, Gunners Lake, Kings Valley

Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster

Schools

Germantown has a 78% average SOL pass rate; Herndon has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Germantown include Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School; in Herndon, Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. See Germantown schools | See Herndon schools

Germantown

MD

Herndon

VA

Avg Pass Rate

78%

80%

Public schools

Northwest High School, Seneca Valley High School, Roberto Clemente Middle School

Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary

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

Commute

Herndon is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Germantown (I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355), Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28).

Germantown

MD

Herndon

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Herndon)

Metro Lines

N/A

Silver

Major Highways

I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355

Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

MARC (Brunswick Line)

None

Walkability

Herndon is more walkable with a Walk Score of 40 (Car-Dependent), compared to 28 in Germantown. Transit scores: Germantown (22) vs Herndon (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Churchill Village and Herndon Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.

Germantown

MD

Herndon

VA

Walk Score

28Car-Dependent
40Car-Dependent

Transit Score

22

28

Bike Score

32

45

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Germantown and Herndon. 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.

Germantown

MD

Herndon

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1/1K

0.9/1K

Reported Property Crime

12.5/1K

12.8/1K

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Germantown or Herndon more affordable?

Germantown is more affordable with a median sold price of $430K, compared to $700K in Herndon (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. Germantown prices range from $175K–$850K. Herndon prices range from $175K–$2.2M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Germantown and Herndon?

Germantown public schools have a 78% average SOL pass rate; Herndon has 80% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Germantown include Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School; in Herndon, Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Germantown or Herndon?

Herndon has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Germantown has no direct Metro access. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon).

How do Germantown and Herndon compare?

Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, with a range of home prices, retail, parks, and access to the I-270 corridor. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. 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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