City Comparison

Manassas vs Sterling: How they compare

Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. Sterling is a fast-growing Loudoun County community near Dulles Airport. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Manassas's median sold price is $548K with homes averaging 29 days on market; Sterling is at $615K and 27 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Sterling is pricier ($615K median vs $548K), a difference of about $67K. Sterling moves faster, with homes averaging 27 days on market compared to 29 in Manassas. Manassas offers a lower entry point at $60K–$1.9M.

Manassas

VA

Sterling

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$548K

$615K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

29 days

27 days

Price Range

$60K–$1.9M

$180K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Old Town Manassas, Georgetown South, Signal Hill, Sudley

Cascades, Countryside, Sugarland Run, Lowes Island

VA

Find agents in Manassas

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Manassas.

View agents

VA

Find agents in Sterling

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Sterling.

View agents

Decided between Manassas and Sterling? See how buying a home works on smover.

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Manassas or Sterling more affordable?

Manassas is more affordable with a median sold price of $548K, compared to $615K in Sterling (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. Manassas prices range from $60K–$1.9M. Sterling prices range from $180K–$1.5M.

How do Manassas and Sterling compare?

Manassas is a charming independent city with a revitalized downtown, diverse dining, and proximity to the Civil War battlefield. Sterling is a fast-growing Loudoun County community near Dulles Airport. 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 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 August 2026.

Stay ahead of the market

Join buyers, sellers, and agents across Northern Virginia getting weekly market updates, new listings, and tips. Free, every Monday.

Trusted in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and 19 more cities

Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.

Take ownership of your move.

For buyers under contract: your agent confirms the milestones. smover keeps selected documents, confirmed dates, and factual updates in one shared view.

Manassas vs Sterling: Median $548K vs $615K (2026) | smover