City Comparison

Rockville vs Vienna: How they compare

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. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

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

Rockville has a 85% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Rockville include Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Rockville schools | See Vienna schools

Rockville

MD

Vienna

VA

Avg Pass Rate

85%

92%

Public 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

85%
92%

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

52Somewhat Walkable
42Car-Dependent

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

Average
Very Safe

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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VA

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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.

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

Rockville public schools have a 85% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Rockville include Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

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.

How do Rockville and Vienna compare?

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 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 Vienna: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover