City Comparison

Richmond vs Suffolk: How they compare

Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, offering a mix of new construction communities and rural charm. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Suffolk is pricier ($370K median vs $355K), a difference of about $15K. Richmond moves faster, with homes averaging 18 days on market compared to 24 in Suffolk. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.

Richmond

VA

Suffolk

VA

Median Price

$355K

$370K

Avg Days on Market

18 days

24 days

Price Range

$125K–$1.5M

$175K–$800K

Top Neighborhoods

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

Harbour View, Bennetts Creek, Godwin Boulevard, Riverfront

Schools

Richmond has a 67% average SOL pass rate; Suffolk has 72% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Richmond include Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School; in Suffolk, Nansemond River High School and King's Fork High School. See Richmond schools | See Suffolk schools

Richmond

VA

Suffolk

VA

Avg Pass Rate

67%

72%

Public schools

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

Nansemond River High School, King's Fork High School, Lakeland High School

Pass Rate

67%
72%

Commute

Richmond is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195), Suffolk (Rt 58, Rt 13, Rt 460).

Richmond

VA

Suffolk

VA

Drive to Downtown

~10 min

~30 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

Rt 58, Rt 13, Rt 460, I-664

Commuter Rail

None

None

VA

Find agents in Richmond

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Richmond.

View agents

VA

Find agents in Suffolk

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Suffolk.

View agents

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richmond or Suffolk more affordable?

Richmond is more affordable with a median home price of $355K, compared to $370K in Suffolk. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Richmond prices range from $125K–$1.5M. Suffolk prices range from $175K–$800K.

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

Richmond public schools have a 67% average SOL pass rate; Suffolk has 72% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Richmond include Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School; in Suffolk, Nansemond River High School and King's Fork 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 Suffolk?

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

How do Richmond and Suffolk compare?

Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, offering a mix of new construction communities and rural charm. 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.

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 June 2026.

Stay ahead of the market

Join buyers, sellers, and agents across Northern Virginia getting weekly market updates, new listings, and tips. Free, every Monday.

Trusted in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and 19 more cities

Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.

Take ownership of your move.

You choose the home, the agent, the lender. We take care of everything in between.

Richmond vs Suffolk: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover