City Comparison

Stafford vs Virginia Beach: How they compare

Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. Virginia Beach is the state's most populous city, offering oceanfront living, a thriving resort economy, and proximity to major military installations. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Stafford's median sold price is $545K with homes averaging 37 days on market; Virginia Beach is at $364K and 18 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Stafford is pricier ($545K median vs $364K), a difference of about $181K. Virginia Beach moves faster, with homes averaging 18 days on market compared to 37 in Stafford. Virginia Beach offers a lower entry point at $175K–$2M+.

Stafford

VA

Virginia Beach

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$545K

$364K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

37 days

18 days

Price Range

$108K–$1.3M

$175K–$2M+

Notable Neighborhoods

Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek

Oceanfront, Town Center, Great Neck, Kempsville

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stafford or Virginia Beach more affordable?

Virginia Beach is more affordable with a median sold price of $364K, compared to $545K in Stafford (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. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M. Virginia Beach prices range from $175K–$2M+.

How do Stafford and Virginia Beach compare?

Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. Virginia Beach is the state's most populous city, offering oceanfront living, a thriving resort economy, and proximity to major military installations. 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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