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. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Richmond's median sold price is $390K with homes averaging 31 days on market; Springfield is at $689K and 23 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Springfield is pricier ($689K median vs $390K), a difference of about $299K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 23 days on market compared to 31 in Richmond. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.

Richmond

VA

Springfield

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$390K

$689K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

31 days

23 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

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

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

Reported Crime Data

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

Richmond

VA

Springfield

VA

Reported Violent Crime

5.8/1K

0.7/1K

Reported Property Crime

25.2/1K

10.1/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richmond or Springfield more affordable?

Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $390K, compared to $689K in Springfield (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. 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 lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records 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 September 2026.

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