Market Overview
Herndon's median sold price is $700K with homes averaging 26 days on market; Rockville is at $641K and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Herndon is pricier ($700K median vs $641K), a difference of about $59K. Herndon moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 31 in Rockville. Rockville offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1.8M.
Herndon
VA
Rockville
MD
Median Sold Price
12 months through Jul 2026
$700K
$641K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Jul 2026
26 days
31 days
Price Range
$175K–$2.2M
$200K–$1.8M
Notable Neighborhoods
Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster
Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove
Schools
Herndon has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Herndon schools | See Rockville schools
Herndon
VA
Rockville
MD
Avg Pass Rate
80%
85%
Public 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 $700K home in Herndon, you would pay ~$7,770/yr in property tax. In Rockville, a $641K home costs ~$6,333/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
$7,770/yr
$6,333/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 sold price of $641K, 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. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Herndon and Rockville?
Herndon public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton 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 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 (~$7,770/yr on a $700K home). Rockville's rate is $0.988 per $100 (~$6,333/yr on a $641K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
How do Herndon and Rockville compare?
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 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.