City Comparison

Springfield vs Vienna: Which is right for your family?

Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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 $703K), a difference of about $257K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 12 days on market compared to 16 in Springfield. Springfield offers a lower entry point at $210K–$1.7M.

Springfield

VA

Vienna

VA

Median Price

$703K

$960K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

12 days

Price Range

$210K–$1.7M

$500K–$2.5M

Top Neighborhoods

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights

Schools

Vienna leads on school quality with a 92% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 82% in Springfield. Top schools in Springfield include West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. In Vienna, families look to James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Springfield schools | See Vienna schools

Springfield

VA

Vienna

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Excellent

Avg Pass Rate

82%

92%

Top Schools

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

James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary

Pass Rate

82%
92%

Commute

Vienna is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).

Springfield

VA

Vienna

VA

Drive to Downtown

~30 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

Blue

Orange

Major Highways

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

I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $703K home in Springfield, you would pay ~$7,803/yr in property tax. In Vienna, a $960K home costs ~$10,656/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Springfield

VA

Vienna

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,803/yr

$10,656/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate; Town of Vienna adds $0.2275

Walkability

Vienna is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 32 in Springfield. Transit scores: Springfield (28) vs Vienna (30). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like West Springfield and Downtown Vienna score much higher than suburban areas.

Springfield

VA

Vienna

VA

Walk Score

32Car-Dependent
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

28

30

Bike Score

38

48

Safety

Vienna is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 55% below Virginia average. Springfield is rated "Safe" (36% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Springfield

VA

Vienna

VA

Safety Rating

Safe
Very Safe

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

0.4/1K

Property Crime

10.1/1K

7.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

36% below Virginia average

55% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Springfield or Vienna more affordable?

Springfield is more affordable with a median home price of $703K, compared to $960K in Vienna. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.

Which has better schools, Springfield or Vienna?

Vienna has stronger schools overall, with a 92% average pass rate compared to 82% in Springfield. Top schools in Springfield include West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee 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, Springfield or Vienna?

Vienna has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield). Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

What are property taxes in Springfield vs Vienna?

Springfield has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,803/yr on a $703K 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 Springfield or Vienna better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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.