City Comparison

Herndon vs Woodbridge: Which is right for your family?

Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Woodbridge is the commercial heart of eastern Prince William County. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Herndon is pricier ($710K median vs $507K), a difference of about $203K. Woodbridge moves faster, with homes averaging 22 days on market compared to 23 in Herndon. Woodbridge offers a lower entry point at $145K–$2.9M.

Herndon

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Median Price

$710K

$507K

Avg Days on Market

23 days

22 days

Price Range

$175K–$2.2M

$145K–$2.9M

Top Neighborhoods

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

Dale City, Lake Ridge, Occoquan, Potomac Mills

Schools

Herndon leads on school quality with a 80% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 73% in Woodbridge. Top schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. In Woodbridge, families look to Woodbridge High School and Gar-Field High School. See Herndon schools | See Woodbridge schools

Herndon

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

80%

73%

Top Schools

Herndon High School, Rachel Carson Middle School, Dranesville Elementary

Woodbridge High School, Gar-Field High School, Rippon Middle School

Pass Rate

80%
73%

Commute

Herndon is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Herndon has 2 Metro stations, including Herndon on the Silver line. Major highway access: Herndon (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 28), Woodbridge (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 123).

Herndon

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~40 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 123

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Property Tax

On a $710K home in Herndon, you would pay ~$7,881/yr in property tax. In Woodbridge, a $507K home costs ~$5,222/yr. Woodbridge has the lower rate at $1.030 per $100 of assessed value.

Herndon

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.030

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,881/yr

$5,222/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate; Town of Herndon adds $0.2650

Prince William County rate

Walkability

Herndon is more walkable with a Walk Score of 40 (Car-Dependent), compared to 22 in Woodbridge. Transit scores: Herndon (28) vs Woodbridge (12). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Herndon Town Center and Dale City score much higher than suburban areas.

Herndon

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Walk Score

40Car-Dependent
22Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

28

12

Bike Score

45

20

Safety

Woodbridge is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 11% below Virginia average. Herndon is rated "Safe" (19% 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

Woodbridge

VA

Safety Rating

Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.9/1K

1.3/1K

Property Crime

12.8/1K

13.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

19% below Virginia average

11% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Herndon or Woodbridge more affordable?

Woodbridge is more affordable with a median home price of $507K, 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. Woodbridge prices range from $145K–$2.9M.

Which has better schools, Herndon or Woodbridge?

Herndon has stronger schools overall, with a 80% average pass rate compared to 73% in Woodbridge. Top schools in Herndon include Herndon High School and Rachel Carson Middle School. In Woodbridge, standout schools include Woodbridge High School and Gar-Field High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Herndon or Woodbridge?

Herndon has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Herndon has Metro access (Herndon). Woodbridge has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Herndon vs Woodbridge?

Herndon has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,881/yr on a $710K home). Woodbridge's rate is $1.030 per $100 (~$5,222/yr on a $507K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Herndon or Woodbridge better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Herndon is a walkable town near the Dulles technology corridor. Woodbridge is the commercial heart of eastern Prince William County. 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.