City Comparison

Richmond vs Springfield: How they compare

Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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; Springfield is at $690K and 22 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Springfield is pricier ($690K median vs $389K), a difference of about $301K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 22 days on market compared to 30 in Richmond. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.

Richmond

VA

Springfield

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$389K

$690K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

30 days

22 days

Price Range

$125K–$1.5M

$210K–$1.7M

Notable Neighborhoods

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

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Richmond has a 67% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Richmond include Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Richmond schools | See Springfield schools

Richmond

VA

Springfield

VA

Avg Pass Rate

67%

82%

Public schools

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

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving Middle School

Pass Rate

67%
82%

Commute

Richmond is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Richmond

VA

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~10 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

N/A

Blue

Major Highways

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

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

Commuter Rail

None

None

Walkability

Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 50 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 32 in Springfield. Transit scores: Richmond (28) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like The Fan and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Richmond

VA

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

50Somewhat Walkable
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

28

28

Bike Score

52

38

Safety

Springfield is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 36% 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

Springfield

VA

Safety Rating

Below Average
Safe

Violent Crime

5.8/1K

0.7/1K

Property Crime

25.2/1K

10.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

83% above Virginia average

36% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richmond or Springfield more affordable?

Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $389K, compared to $690K in Springfield (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. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

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

Richmond public schools have a 67% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Richmond include Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee 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 Springfield?

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

How do Richmond and Springfield compare?

Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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 Springfield: $389K vs $690K (2026) | smover