City Comparison

Herndon vs Spotsylvania: How they compare

Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Spotsylvania County combines historic battlefields with modern neighborhoods. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Herndon's median sold price is $700K with homes averaging 27 days on market; Spotsylvania is at $500K and 42 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Herndon is pricier ($700K median vs $500K), a difference of about $200K. Herndon moves faster, with homes averaging 27 days on market compared to 42 in Spotsylvania. Spotsylvania offers a lower entry point at $130K–$3M.

Herndon

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$700K

$500K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

27 days

42 days

Price Range

$175K–$2.2M

$130K–$3M

Notable Neighborhoods

Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster

Lee Hill, Lees Parke, Crossroads, Thorngate

Schools

Herndon has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Spotsylvania has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School; in Spotsylvania, Riverbend High School and Courtland High School. See Herndon schools | See Spotsylvania schools

Herndon

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Avg Pass Rate

80%

74%

Public schools

Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary

Riverbend High School, Courtland High School, Chancellor High School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Herndon is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~70 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28), Spotsylvania (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3).

Herndon

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~70 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, Rt 1, Rt 3

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Property Tax

On a $700K home in Herndon, you would pay ~$7,770/yr in property tax. In Spotsylvania, a $500K home costs ~$4,300/yr. Spotsylvania has the lower rate at $0.860 per $100 of assessed value.

Herndon

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$0.860

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,770/yr

$4,300/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate; Town of Herndon adds $0.2650

None

Walkability

Herndon is more walkable with a Walk Score of 40 (Car-Dependent), compared to 14 in Spotsylvania. Transit scores: Herndon (28) vs Spotsylvania (6). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Herndon Town Center and Lee Hill score much higher than suburban areas.

Herndon

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Walk Score

40Car-Dependent
14Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

28

6

Bike Score

45

15

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Herndon and Spotsylvania. 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

Spotsylvania

VA

Reported Violent Crime

0.9/1K

1.1/1K

Reported Property Crime

12.8/1K

12.3/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Herndon or Spotsylvania more affordable?

Spotsylvania is more affordable with a median sold price of $500K, compared to $700K in Herndon (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. Herndon prices range from $175K–$2.2M. Spotsylvania prices range from $130K–$3M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Herndon and Spotsylvania?

Herndon public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Spotsylvania has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School; in Spotsylvania, Riverbend High School and Courtland 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 Spotsylvania?

Herndon has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~70 minutes. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon). Spotsylvania has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Herndon vs Spotsylvania?

Herndon has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,770/yr on a $700K home). Spotsylvania's rate is $0.860 per $100 (~$4,300/yr on a $500K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Herndon and Spotsylvania compare?

Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Spotsylvania County combines historic battlefields with modern neighborhoods. 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.

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