City Comparison

Norfolk vs Spotsylvania: How they compare

Norfolk is the cultural hub of Hampton Roads, home to Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base. 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

Spotsylvania is pricier ($520K median vs $280K), a difference of about $240K. Norfolk moves faster, with homes averaging 24 days on market compared to 35 in Spotsylvania. Norfolk offers a lower entry point at $100K–$1M.

Norfolk

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Median Price

$280K

$520K

Avg Days on Market

24 days

35 days

Price Range

$100K–$1M

$130K–$3M

Notable Neighborhoods

Ghent, Downtown Norfolk, West Ghent, Colonial Place

Lee Hill, Lees Parke, Crossroads, Thorngate

Schools

Norfolk has a 65% average SOL pass rate; Spotsylvania has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Norfolk include Maury High School and Granby High School; in Spotsylvania, Riverbend High School and Courtland High School. See Norfolk schools | See Spotsylvania schools

Norfolk

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Avg Pass Rate

65%

74%

Public schools

Maury High School, Granby High School, Norfolk Academy (private)

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

Norfolk is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~70 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Norfolk (I-264, I-64, I-564), Spotsylvania (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3).

Norfolk

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Drive to Downtown

~10 min

~70 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-264, I-64, I-564, Rt 13

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Walkability

Norfolk is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 14 in Spotsylvania. Transit scores: Norfolk (22) vs Spotsylvania (6). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Ghent and Lee Hill score much higher than suburban areas.

Norfolk

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
14Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

22

6

Bike Score

48

15

Reported Crime Data

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

Norfolk

VA

Spotsylvania

VA

Reported Violent Crime

4.2/1K

1.1/1K

Reported Property Crime

24.8/1K

12.3/1K

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Norfolk or Spotsylvania more affordable?

Norfolk is more affordable with a median home price of $280K, compared to $520K in Spotsylvania. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Norfolk prices range from $100K–$1M. Spotsylvania prices range from $130K–$3M.

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

Norfolk public schools have a 65% average SOL pass rate; Spotsylvania has 74% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Norfolk include Maury High School and Granby High 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, Norfolk or Spotsylvania?

Norfolk has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~70 minutes. Norfolk has no direct Metro access. Spotsylvania has no direct Metro access.

How do Norfolk and Spotsylvania compare?

Norfolk is the cultural hub of Hampton Roads, home to Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base. 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.

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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