City Comparison

Richmond vs Williamsburg: How they compare

Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. 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; Williamsburg is at $510K and 46 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Williamsburg is pricier ($510K median vs $390K), a difference of about $120K. Richmond moves faster, with homes averaging 31 days on market compared to 46 in Williamsburg. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.

Richmond

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$390K

$510K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

31 days

46 days

Price Range

$125K–$1.5M

$150K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

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

Colonial Williamsburg, Kingsmill, New Town, Ford's Colony

Schools

Richmond has a 67% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Richmond include Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill High School. See Richmond schools | See Williamsburg schools

Richmond

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Avg Pass Rate

67%

84%

Public schools

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

Lafayette High School, Warhill High School, Berkeley 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 ~25 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195), Williamsburg (I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199).

Richmond

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~10 min

~25 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-64, Rt 60, Rt 199

Commuter Rail

None

None

Walkability

Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 50 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 35 in Williamsburg. Transit scores: Richmond (28) vs Williamsburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like The Fan and Colonial Williamsburg score much higher than suburban areas.

Richmond

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Walk Score

50Somewhat Walkable
35Car-Dependent

Transit Score

28

10

Bike Score

52

42

Reported Crime Data

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

Williamsburg

VA

Reported Violent Crime

5.8/1K

1.2/1K

Reported Property Crime

25.2/1K

15.2/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richmond or Williamsburg more affordable?

Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $390K, compared to $510K in Williamsburg (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. Williamsburg prices range from $150K–$1.5M.

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

Richmond public schools have a 67% average SOL pass rate; Williamsburg has 84% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Richmond include Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School; in Williamsburg, Lafayette High School and Warhill 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 Williamsburg?

Richmond has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Richmond has no direct Metro access. Williamsburg has no direct Metro access.

How do Richmond and Williamsburg compare?

Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. 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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