Market Overview
Herndon's median sold price is $700K with homes averaging 27 days on market; Stafford is at $545K and 37 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Herndon is pricier ($700K median vs $545K), a difference of about $155K. Herndon moves faster, with homes averaging 27 days on market compared to 37 in Stafford. Stafford offers a lower entry point at $108K–$1.3M.
Herndon
VA
Stafford
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$700K
$545K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
27 days
37 days
Price Range
$175K–$2.2M
$108K–$1.3M
Notable Neighborhoods
Herndon Town Center, McNair Farms, Reflection Lake, West Ox Cluster
Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek
Schools
Herndon has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. See Herndon schools | See Stafford schools
Herndon
VA
Stafford
VA
Avg Pass Rate
80%
77%
Public schools
Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary
North Stafford High School, Mountain View High School, Stafford 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 ~55 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28), Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610).
Herndon
VA
Stafford
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~55 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 610
Commuter Rail
None
VRE (Fredericksburg line)
Property Tax
On a $700K home in Herndon, you would pay ~$7,770/yr in property tax. In Stafford, a $545K home costs ~$5,717/yr. Stafford has the lower rate at $1.049 per $100 of assessed value.
Herndon
VA
Stafford
VA
Rate per $100
$1.110
$1.049
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$7,770/yr
$5,717/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 15 in Stafford. Transit scores: Herndon (28) vs Stafford (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Herndon Town Center and Aquia Harbour score much higher than suburban areas.
Herndon
VA
Stafford
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
28
8
Bike Score
45
18
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Herndon and Stafford. 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
Stafford
VA
Reported Violent Crime
0.9/1K
0.9/1K
Reported Property Crime
12.8/1K
10.8/1K
VA
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Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Herndon or Stafford more affordable?
Stafford is more affordable with a median sold price of $545K, 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. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Herndon and Stafford?
Herndon public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View 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 Stafford?
Herndon has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon). Stafford has no direct Metro access.
What are property taxes in Herndon vs Stafford?
Herndon has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,770/yr on a $700K home). Stafford's rate is $1.049 per $100 (~$5,717/yr on a $545K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
How do Herndon and Stafford compare?
Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. 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.