City Comparison

Springfield vs Stafford: How they compare

Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Springfield's median sold price is $689K with homes averaging 23 days on market; Stafford is at $545K and 37 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Springfield is pricier ($689K median vs $545K), a difference of about $144K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 23 days on market compared to 37 in Stafford. Stafford offers a lower entry point at $108K–$1.3M.

Springfield

VA

Stafford

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$689K

$545K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

23 days

37 days

Price Range

$210K–$1.7M

$108K–$1.3M

Notable Neighborhoods

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek

Schools

Springfield has a 82% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Springfield include West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. See Springfield schools | See Stafford schools

Springfield

VA

Stafford

VA

Avg Pass Rate

82%

77%

Public schools

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

North Stafford High School, Mountain View High School, Stafford High School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Springfield is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495), Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610).

Springfield

VA

Stafford

VA

Drive to Downtown

~30 min

~55 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Blue

N/A

Major Highways

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

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610

Commuter Rail

None

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Property Tax

On a $689K home in Springfield, you would pay ~$7,648/yr in property tax. In Stafford, a $545K home costs ~$5,717/yr. Stafford has the lower rate at $1.049 per $100 of assessed value.

Springfield

VA

Stafford

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.049

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,648/yr

$5,717/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

None

Walkability

Springfield is more walkable with a Walk Score of 32 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Stafford. Transit scores: Springfield (28) vs Stafford (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like West Springfield and Aquia Harbour score much higher than suburban areas.

Springfield

VA

Stafford

VA

Walk Score

32Car-Dependent
15Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

28

8

Bike Score

38

18

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Springfield and Stafford. 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.

Springfield

VA

Stafford

VA

Reported Violent Crime

0.7/1K

0.9/1K

Reported Property Crime

10.1/1K

10.8/1K

VA

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Springfield or Stafford more affordable?

Stafford is more affordable with a median sold price of $545K, compared to $689K in Springfield (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. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M.

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

Springfield public schools have a 82% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Springfield include West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Springfield or Stafford?

Springfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield). Stafford has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Springfield vs Stafford?

Springfield has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,648/yr on a $689K home). Stafford's rate is $1.049 per $100 (~$5,717/yr on a $545K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Springfield and Stafford compare?

Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. 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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