Market Overview
Herndon is pricier ($710K median vs $280K), a difference of about $430K. Herndon moves faster, with homes averaging 23 days on market compared to 24 in Norfolk. Norfolk offers a lower entry point at $100K–$1M.
Herndon
VA
Norfolk
VA
Median Price
$710K
$280K
Avg Days on Market
23 days
24 days
Price Range
$175K–$2.2M
$100K–$1M
Notable Neighborhoods
Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster
Ghent, Downtown Norfolk, West Ghent, Colonial Place
Schools
Herndon has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Norfolk has 65% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School; in Norfolk, Maury High School and Granby High School. See Herndon schools | See Norfolk schools
Herndon
VA
Norfolk
VA
Avg Pass Rate
80%
65%
Public schools
Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary
Maury High School, Granby High School, Norfolk Academy (private)
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Norfolk is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28), Norfolk (I-264, I-64, I-564).
Herndon
VA
Norfolk
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~10 min
Metro Stations
2 Metro stations (nearest: Herndon)
No Metro access
Metro Lines
Silver
N/A
Major Highways
Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28
I-264, I-64, I-564, Rt 13
Commuter Rail
None
None
Walkability
Norfolk is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 40 in Herndon. Transit scores: Herndon (28) vs Norfolk (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Herndon Town Center and Ghent score much higher than suburban areas.
Herndon
VA
Norfolk
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
28
22
Bike Score
45
48
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Herndon and Norfolk. 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.
Herndon
VA
Norfolk
VA
Reported Violent Crime
0.9/1K
4.2/1K
Reported Property Crime
12.8/1K
24.8/1K
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Herndon or Norfolk more affordable?
Norfolk is more affordable with a median home price of $280K, compared to $710K in Herndon. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Herndon prices range from $175K–$2.2M. Norfolk prices range from $100K–$1M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Herndon and Norfolk?
Herndon public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Norfolk has 65% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School; in Norfolk, Maury High School and Granby High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Herndon or Norfolk?
Norfolk has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon). Norfolk has no direct Metro access.
How do Herndon and Norfolk compare?
Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Norfolk is the cultural hub of Hampton Roads, home to Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base. 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.
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 September 2026.