City Comparison

Lorton vs Suffolk: How they compare

Lorton is a revitalized community in southern Fairfax County, transformed by the Workhouse Arts Center and new residential development. Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, offering a mix of new construction communities and rural charm. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Lorton is pricier ($610K median vs $370K), a difference of about $240K. Lorton moves faster, with homes averaging 15 days on market compared to 24 in Suffolk. Suffolk offers a lower entry point at $175K–$800K.

Lorton

VA

Suffolk

VA

Median Price

$610K

$370K

Avg Days on Market

15 days

24 days

Price Range

$250K–$1.2M

$175K–$800K

Notable Neighborhoods

Lorton Station, Laurel Hill, Gunston, Newington

Harbour View, Bennetts Creek, Godwin Boulevard, Riverfront

Schools

Lorton has a 81% average SOL pass rate; Suffolk has 72% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Lorton include South County High School and Hayfield Secondary School; in Suffolk, Nansemond River High School and King's Fork High School. See Lorton schools | See Suffolk schools

Lorton

VA

Suffolk

VA

Avg Pass Rate

81%

72%

Public schools

South County High School, Hayfield Secondary School, Lorton Station Elementary

Nansemond River High School, King's Fork High School, Lakeland High School

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

Commute

Suffolk is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Lorton (I-95, Rt 1, Lorton Rd), Suffolk (Rt 58, Rt 13, Rt 460).

Lorton

VA

Suffolk

VA

Drive to Downtown

~30 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Lorton Rd

Rt 58, Rt 13, Rt 460, I-664

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lorton or Suffolk more affordable?

Suffolk is more affordable with a median home price of $370K, compared to $610K in Lorton. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Lorton prices range from $250K–$1.2M. Suffolk prices range from $175K–$800K.

What are the public-school pass rates in Lorton and Suffolk?

Lorton public schools have a 81% average SOL pass rate; Suffolk has 72% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Lorton include South County High School and Hayfield Secondary School; in Suffolk, Nansemond River High School and King's Fork High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Lorton or Suffolk?

Suffolk has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Lorton has no direct Metro access. Suffolk has no direct Metro access.

How do Lorton and Suffolk compare?

Lorton is a revitalized community in southern Fairfax County, transformed by the Workhouse Arts Center and new residential development. Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, offering a mix of new construction communities and rural charm. 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.

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 September 2026.

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