Market Overview
Herndon is pricier ($710K median vs $560K), a difference of about $150K. Rockville moves faster, with homes averaging 17 days on market compared to 23 in Herndon. Rockville offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1.8M.
Herndon
VA
Rockville
MD
Median Price
$710K
$560K
Avg Days on Market
23 days
17 days
Price Range
$175K–$2.2M
$200K–$1.8M
Top Neighborhoods
Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster
Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove
Schools
Rockville leads on school quality with a 85% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 80% in Herndon. Top schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. In Rockville, families look to Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Herndon schools | See Rockville schools
Herndon
VA
Rockville
MD
Quality Tier
Strong
Excellent
Avg Pass Rate
80%
85%
Top Schools
Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary
Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School
Pass Rate
Commute
Rockville is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Major highway access: Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28), Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355).
Herndon
VA
Rockville
MD
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~30 min
Metro Stations
2 Metro stations (nearest: Herndon)
3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)
Metro Lines
Silver
Red
Major Highways
Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28
I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28
Commuter Rail
None
MARC (Brunswick Line)
Property Tax
On a $710K home in Herndon, you would pay ~$7,881/yr in property tax. In Rockville, a $560K home costs ~$5,533/yr. Rockville has the lower rate at $0.988 per $100 of assessed value.
Herndon
VA
Rockville
MD
Rate per $100
$1.110
$0.988
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$7,881/yr
$5,533/yr
Notes
Fairfax County rate; Town of Herndon adds $0.2650
Montgomery County rate; City of Rockville adds $0.328
Walkability
Rockville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 40 in Herndon. Transit scores: Herndon (28) vs Rockville (42). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Herndon Town Center and Rockville Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.
Herndon
VA
Rockville
MD
Walk Score
Transit Score
28
42
Bike Score
45
55
Safety
Herndon is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 19% below Virginia average. Rockville is rated "Average" (9% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.
Herndon
VA
Rockville
MD
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
0.9/1K
1.1/1K
Property Crime
12.8/1K
14.2/1K
vs Virginia Avg
19% below Virginia average
9% below Virginia average
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Herndon or Rockville more affordable?
Rockville is more affordable with a median home price of $560K, 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. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.
Which has better schools, Herndon or Rockville?
Rockville has stronger schools overall, with a 85% average pass rate compared to 80% in Herndon. Top schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. In Rockville, standout schools include Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.
Which is easier to commute from, Herndon or Rockville?
Rockville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon). Rockville has Metro access (Rockville).
What are property taxes in Herndon vs Rockville?
Herndon has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Rockville's rate is $0.988 per $100 (~$5,533/yr on a $560K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
Is Herndon or Rockville better for families?
Both cities are popular with families. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. The best choice depends on your priorities: budget, school quality, commute length, and neighborhood feel. smover can help you find a verified agent in either city who specializes in family-friendly neighborhoods.
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 March 2026.