City Comparison

Rockville vs Springfield: How they compare

Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. 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

Springfield is pricier ($703K median vs $560K), a difference of about $143K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 16 days on market compared to 17 in Rockville. Rockville offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1.8M.

Rockville

MD

Springfield

VA

Median Price

$560K

$703K

Avg Days on Market

17 days

16 days

Price Range

$200K–$1.8M

$210K–$1.7M

Top Neighborhoods

Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Rockville has a 85% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Rockville include Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Rockville schools | See Springfield schools

Rockville

MD

Springfield

VA

Avg Pass Rate

85%

82%

Public schools

Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School

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

Pass Rate

85%
82%

Commute

Springfield is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Rockville

MD

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~30 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

Red

Blue

Major Highways

I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28

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

Commuter Rail

MARC (Brunswick Line)

None

Property Tax

On a $560K home in Rockville, you would pay ~$5,533/yr in property tax. In Springfield, a $703K home costs ~$7,803/yr. Rockville has the lower rate at $0.988 per $100 of assessed value.

Rockville

MD

Springfield

VA

Rate per $100

$0.988

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$5,533/yr

$7,803/yr

Notes

Montgomery County rate; City of Rockville adds $0.328

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Rockville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 32 in Springfield. Transit scores: Rockville (42) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Rockville Town Center and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Rockville

MD

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

52Somewhat Walkable
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

42

28

Bike Score

55

38

Safety

Springfield is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 36% below Virginia average. Rockville is rated "Average" (9% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Rockville

MD

Springfield

VA

Safety Rating

Average
Safe

Violent Crime

1.1/1K

0.7/1K

Property Crime

14.2/1K

10.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

9% below Virginia average

36% below Virginia average

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rockville or Springfield more affordable?

Rockville is more affordable with a median home price of $560K, compared to $703K in Springfield. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

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

Rockville public schools have a 85% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Rockville include Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton 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, Rockville or Springfield?

Springfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Rockville has Metro access (Rockville). Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield).

What are property taxes in Rockville vs Springfield?

Rockville has a property tax rate of $0.988 per $100 (~$5,533/yr on a $560K home). Springfield's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,803/yr on a $703K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Rockville and Springfield compare?

Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. 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.

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.

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Rockville vs Springfield: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover