City Comparison

Stafford vs Warrenton: How they compare

Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. Warrenton is the county seat of Fauquier County, known for its equestrian culture, charming Old Town, and rolling countryside. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Stafford's median sold price is $545K with homes averaging 36 days on market; Warrenton is at $687K and 30 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Warrenton is pricier ($687K median vs $545K), a difference of about $142K. Warrenton moves faster, with homes averaging 30 days on market compared to 36 in Stafford. Stafford offers a lower entry point at $108K–$1.3M.

Stafford

VA

Warrenton

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$545K

$687K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

36 days

30 days

Price Range

$108K–$1.3M

$225K–$2M

Notable Neighborhoods

Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek

Old Town Warrenton, Blackwell, Vint Hill, Rittenour

Schools

Stafford has a 77% average SOL pass rate; Warrenton has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Stafford include North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School; in Warrenton, Fauquier High School and Taylor Middle School. See Stafford schools | See Warrenton schools

Stafford

VA

Warrenton

VA

Avg Pass Rate

77%

78%

Public schools

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

Fauquier High School, Taylor Middle School, Brumfield Elementary

Pass Rate

77%
78%

Commute

Stafford is closer to downtown at ~55 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610), Warrenton (Rt 29, Rt 17, Rt 211).

Stafford

VA

Warrenton

VA

Drive to Downtown

~55 min

~60 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610

Rt 29, Rt 17, Rt 211, Rt 15/29

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

Walkability

Warrenton is more walkable with a Walk Score of 32 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Stafford. Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Aquia Harbour and Old Town Warrenton score much higher than suburban areas.

Stafford

VA

Warrenton

VA

Walk Score

15Almost All Errands Require a Car
32Car-Dependent

Bike Score

18

28

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stafford or Warrenton more affordable?

Stafford is more affordable with a median sold price of $545K, compared to $687K in Warrenton (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 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. Warrenton prices range from $225K–$2M.

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

Stafford public schools have a 77% average SOL pass rate; Warrenton has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Stafford include North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School; in Warrenton, Fauquier High School and Taylor Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Stafford or Warrenton?

Stafford has the shorter commute to downtown at ~55 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Stafford has no direct Metro access. Warrenton has no direct Metro access.

How do Stafford and Warrenton compare?

Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. Warrenton is the county seat of Fauquier County, known for its equestrian culture, charming Old Town, and rolling countryside. 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.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 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 August 2026.

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Stafford vs Warrenton: Median $545K vs $687K (2026) | smover