Market Overview
Vienna is pricier ($960K median vs $560K), a difference of about $400K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 12 days on market compared to 17 in Rockville. Rockville offers a lower entry point at $200K–$1.8M.
Rockville
MD
Vienna
VA
Median Price
$560K
$960K
Avg Days on Market
17 days
12 days
Price Range
$200K–$1.8M
$500K–$2.5M
Top Neighborhoods
Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove
Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights
Schools
Vienna leads on school quality with a 92% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 85% in Rockville. Top schools in Rockville include Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. In Vienna, families look to James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Rockville schools | See Vienna schools
Rockville
MD
Vienna
VA
Quality Tier
Excellent
Excellent
Avg Pass Rate
85%
92%
Top Schools
Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School
James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary
Pass Rate
Commute
Vienna is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).
Rockville
MD
Vienna
VA
Drive to Downtown
~30 min
~25 min
Metro Stations
3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)
1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)
Metro Lines
Red
Orange
Major Highways
I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28
I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29
Commuter Rail
MARC (Brunswick Line)
None
Property Tax
On a $560K home in Rockville, you would pay ~$5,533/yr in property tax. In Vienna, a $960K home costs ~$10,656/yr. Rockville has the lower rate at $0.988 per $100 of assessed value.
Rockville
MD
Vienna
VA
Rate per $100
$0.988
$1.110
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$5,533/yr
$10,656/yr
Notes
Montgomery County rate; City of Rockville adds $0.328
Fairfax County rate; Town of Vienna adds $0.2275
Walkability
Rockville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 42 in Vienna. Transit scores: Rockville (42) vs Vienna (30). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Rockville Town Center and Downtown Vienna score much higher than suburban areas.
Rockville
MD
Vienna
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
42
30
Bike Score
55
48
Safety
Vienna is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 55% 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
Vienna
VA
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
1.1/1K
0.4/1K
Property Crime
14.2/1K
7.2/1K
vs Virginia Avg
9% below Virginia average
55% below Virginia average
MD
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rockville or Vienna more affordable?
Rockville is more affordable with a median home price of $560K, compared to $960K in Vienna. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.
Which has better schools, Rockville or Vienna?
Vienna has stronger schools overall, with a 92% average pass rate compared to 85% in Rockville. Top schools in Rockville include Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. In Vienna, standout schools include James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.
Which is easier to commute from, Rockville or Vienna?
Vienna has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Rockville has Metro access (Rockville). Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).
What are property taxes in Rockville vs Vienna?
Rockville has a property tax rate of $0.988 per $100 (~$5,533/yr on a $560K home). Vienna's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$10,656/yr on a $960K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
Is Rockville or Vienna better for families?
Both cities are popular with families. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban neighborhoods. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. The best choice depends on your priorities: budget, school quality, commute length, and neighborhood feel. smover can help you find a verified agent in either city who specializes in family-friendly neighborhoods.
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 March 2026.