City Comparison

Stafford vs Woodbridge: How they compare

Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. Woodbridge is the commercial heart of eastern Prince William County. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Stafford is pricier ($560K median vs $507K), a difference of about $53K. Woodbridge moves faster, with homes averaging 22 days on market compared to 27 in Stafford. Woodbridge offers a lower entry point at $145K–$2.9M.

Stafford

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Median Price

$560K

$507K

Avg Days on Market

27 days

22 days

Price Range

$108K–$1.3M

$145K–$2.9M

Top Neighborhoods

Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek

Dale City, Lake Ridge, Occoquan, Potomac Mills

Schools

Stafford has a 77% average SOL pass rate; Woodbridge has 73% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Stafford include North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School; in Woodbridge, Woodbridge High School and Gar-Field High School. See Stafford schools | See Woodbridge schools

Stafford

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Avg Pass Rate

77%

73%

Public schools

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

Woodbridge High School, Gar-Field High School, Rippon Middle School

Pass Rate

77%
73%

Commute

Woodbridge is closer to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610), Woodbridge (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 123).

Stafford

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Drive to Downtown

~55 min

~40 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

No Metro access

Metro Lines

N/A

N/A

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 123

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

Property Tax

On a $560K home in Stafford, you would pay ~$5,874/yr in property tax. In Woodbridge, a $507K home costs ~$5,222/yr. Woodbridge has the lower rate at $1.030 per $100 of assessed value.

Stafford

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Rate per $100

$1.049

$1.030

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$5,874/yr

$5,222/yr

Notes

None

Prince William County rate

Walkability

Woodbridge is more walkable with a Walk Score of 22 (Almost All Errands Require a Car), compared to 15 in Stafford. Transit scores: Stafford (8) vs Woodbridge (12). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Aquia Harbour and Dale City score much higher than suburban areas.

Stafford

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Walk Score

15Almost All Errands Require a Car
22Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

8

12

Bike Score

18

20

Safety

Woodbridge is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 11% below Virginia average. Stafford is rated "Safe" (31% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Stafford

VA

Woodbridge

VA

Safety Rating

Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.9/1K

1.3/1K

Property Crime

10.8/1K

13.8/1K

vs Virginia Avg

31% below Virginia average

11% below Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stafford or Woodbridge more affordable?

Woodbridge is more affordable with a median home price of $507K, compared to $560K in Stafford. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M. Woodbridge prices range from $145K–$2.9M.

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

Stafford public schools have a 77% average SOL pass rate; Woodbridge has 73% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Stafford include North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School; in Woodbridge, Woodbridge High School and Gar-Field High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Stafford or Woodbridge?

Woodbridge has the shorter commute to downtown at ~40 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Stafford has no direct Metro access. Woodbridge has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Stafford vs Woodbridge?

Stafford has a property tax rate of $1.049 per $100 (~$5,874/yr on a $560K home). Woodbridge's rate is $1.030 per $100 (~$5,222/yr on a $507K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Stafford and Woodbridge compare?

Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south of the D. Woodbridge is the commercial heart of eastern Prince William County. 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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Stafford vs Woodbridge: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover