City Comparison

Richmond vs Rockville: How they compare

Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Richmond's median sold price is $389K with homes averaging 30 days on market; Rockville is at $641K and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Rockville is pricier ($641K median vs $389K), a difference of about $252K. Richmond moves faster, with homes averaging 30 days on market compared to 31 in Rockville. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.

Richmond

VA

Rockville

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$389K

$641K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

30 days

31 days

Price Range

$125K–$1.5M

$200K–$1.8M

Notable Neighborhoods

The Fan, Carytown, Church Hill, Scott's Addition

Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove

Schools

Richmond has a 67% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Richmond include Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Richmond schools | See Rockville schools

Richmond

VA

Rockville

MD

Avg Pass Rate

67%

85%

Public schools

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Open High School, Thomas Jefferson High School

Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School

Pass Rate

67%
85%

Commute

Richmond is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Major highway access: Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195), Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355).

Richmond

VA

Rockville

MD

Drive to Downtown

~10 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)

Metro Lines

N/A

Red

Major Highways

I-95, I-64, I-195, Rt 1, Rt 301

I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

None

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Walkability

Rockville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 50 in Richmond. Transit scores: Richmond (28) vs Rockville (42). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like The Fan and Rockville Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.

Richmond

VA

Rockville

MD

Walk Score

50Somewhat Walkable
52Somewhat Walkable

Transit Score

28

42

Bike Score

52

55

Safety

Rockville is rated "Average" with a total crime rate 9% below Virginia average. Richmond is rated "Below Average" (83% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Richmond

VA

Rockville

MD

Safety Rating

Below Average
Average

Violent Crime

5.8/1K

1.1/1K

Property Crime

25.2/1K

14.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

83% above Virginia average

9% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richmond or Rockville more affordable?

Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $389K, compared to $641K in Rockville (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Richmond prices range from $125K–$1.5M. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Richmond and Rockville?

Richmond public schools have a 67% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Richmond include Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Richmond or Rockville?

Richmond has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Richmond has no direct Metro access. Rockville has Metro access (Rockville).

How do Richmond and Rockville compare?

Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. 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 Jul 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.

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Richmond vs Rockville: Median $389K vs $641K (2026) | smover