Market Overview
Germantown's median sold price is $430K with homes averaging 33 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 $430K), a difference of about $115K. Germantown moves faster, with homes averaging 33 days on market compared to 37 in Stafford. Germantown offers a lower entry point at $175K–$850K.
Germantown
MD
Stafford
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$430K
$545K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
33 days
37 days
Price Range
$175K–$850K
$108K–$1.3M
Notable Neighborhoods
Churchill Village, Clopper's Mill, Gunners Lake, Kings Valley
Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek
Schools
Germantown has a 78% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Germantown include Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. See Germantown schools | See Stafford schools
Germantown
MD
Stafford
VA
Avg Pass Rate
78%
77%
Public schools
Northwest High School, Seneca Valley High School, Roberto Clemente Middle 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
Germantown is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Germantown (I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355), Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610).
Germantown
MD
Stafford
VA
Drive to Downtown
~40 min
~55 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
No Metro access
Metro Lines
N/A
N/A
Major Highways
I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355
I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610
Commuter Rail
MARC (Brunswick Line)
VRE (Fredericksburg line)
Walkability
Germantown is more walkable with a Walk Score of 28 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Stafford. Transit scores: Germantown (22) vs Stafford (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Churchill Village and Aquia Harbour score much higher than suburban areas.
Germantown
MD
Stafford
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
22
8
Bike Score
32
18
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Germantown 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.
Germantown
MD
Stafford
VA
Reported Violent Crime
1/1K
0.9/1K
Reported Property Crime
12.5/1K
10.8/1K
MD
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Germantown or Stafford more affordable?
Germantown is more affordable with a median sold price of $430K, 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. Germantown prices range from $175K–$850K. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Germantown and Stafford?
Germantown public schools have a 78% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Germantown include Northwest High School and Seneca Valley 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, Germantown or Stafford?
Germantown has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Germantown has no direct Metro access. Stafford has no direct Metro access.
How do Germantown and Stafford 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. 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.