Market Overview
Richmond's median sold price is $390K with homes averaging 31 days on market; Stafford is at $545K and 37 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Stafford is pricier ($545K median vs $390K), a difference of about $155K. Richmond moves faster, with homes averaging 31 days on market compared to 37 in Stafford. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.
Richmond
VA
Stafford
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$390K
$545K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
31 days
37 days
Price Range
$125K–$1.5M
$108K–$1.3M
Notable Neighborhoods
The Fan, Carytown, Church Hill, Scott's Addition
Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek
Schools
Richmond has a 67% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Richmond include Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. See Richmond schools | See Stafford schools
Richmond
VA
Stafford
VA
Avg Pass Rate
67%
77%
Public schools
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Open High School, Thomas Jefferson High School
North Stafford High School, Mountain View High School, Stafford High 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 ~55 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195), Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610).
Richmond
VA
Stafford
VA
Drive to Downtown
~10 min
~55 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
No Metro access
Metro Lines
N/A
N/A
Major Highways
I-95, I-64, I-195, Rt 1, Rt 301
I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610
Commuter Rail
None
VRE (Fredericksburg line)
Walkability
Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 50 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 15 in Stafford. Transit scores: Richmond (28) vs Stafford (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like The Fan and Aquia Harbour score much higher than suburban areas.
Richmond
VA
Stafford
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
28
8
Bike Score
52
18
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Richmond and Stafford. 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
Stafford
VA
Reported Violent Crime
5.8/1K
0.9/1K
Reported Property Crime
25.2/1K
10.8/1K
VA
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Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richmond or Stafford more affordable?
Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $390K, compared to $545K in Stafford (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. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Richmond and Stafford?
Richmond public schools have a 67% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Richmond include Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View 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 Stafford?
Richmond has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Richmond has no direct Metro access. Stafford has no direct Metro access.
How do Richmond and Stafford compare?
Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. 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.