Market Overview
Herndon's median sold price is $700K with homes averaging 26 days on market; Richmond is at $389K and 30 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Herndon is pricier ($700K median vs $389K), a difference of about $311K. Herndon moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 30 in Richmond. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.
Herndon
VA
Richmond
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Jul 2026
$700K
$389K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Jul 2026
26 days
30 days
Price Range
$175K–$2.2M
$125K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster
The Fan, Carytown, Church Hill, Scott's Addition
Schools
Herndon has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School. See Herndon schools | See Richmond schools
Herndon
VA
Richmond
VA
Avg Pass Rate
80%
67%
Public schools
Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Open High School, Thomas Jefferson High School
Pass Rate
Commute
Richmond 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), Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195).
Herndon
VA
Richmond
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-95, I-64, I-195, Rt 1, Rt 301
Commuter Rail
None
None
Walkability
Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 50 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 40 in Herndon. Transit scores: Herndon (28) vs Richmond (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Herndon Town Center and The Fan score much higher than suburban areas.
Herndon
VA
Richmond
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
28
28
Bike Score
45
52
Safety
Herndon is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 19% below Virginia average. Richmond is rated "Below Average" (83% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.
Herndon
VA
Richmond
VA
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
0.9/1K
5.8/1K
Property Crime
12.8/1K
25.2/1K
vs Virginia Avg
19% below Virginia average
83% above Virginia average
VA
Find agents in Herndon
Browse verified agents with real sales data in Herndon.
View agentsVA
Find agents in Richmond
Browse verified agents with real sales data in Richmond.
View agentsDecided between Herndon and Richmond? See how buying a home works on smover.
Related Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Herndon or Richmond more affordable?
Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $389K, compared to $700K in Herndon (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. Herndon prices range from $175K–$2.2M. Richmond prices range from $125K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Herndon and Richmond?
Herndon public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open 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 Richmond?
Richmond has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon). Richmond has no direct Metro access.
How do Herndon and Richmond compare?
Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. 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 July 2026.