City Comparison

Vienna vs Williamsburg: Which is right for your family?

Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. 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 $370K), a difference of about $590K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 12 days on market compared to 28 in Williamsburg. Williamsburg offers a lower entry point at $150K–$1.5M.

Vienna

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Median Price

$960K

$370K

Avg Days on Market

12 days

28 days

Price Range

$500K–$2.5M

$150K–$1.5M

Top Neighborhoods

Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights

Colonial Williamsburg, Kingsmill, New Town, Ford's Colony

Schools

Vienna leads on school quality with a 92% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 84% in Williamsburg. Top schools in Vienna include James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. In Williamsburg, families look to Lafayette High School and Warhill High School. See Vienna schools | See Williamsburg schools

Vienna

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Quality Tier

Excellent

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

92%

84%

Top Schools

James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary

Lafayette High School, Warhill High School, Berkeley Middle School

Pass Rate

92%
84%

Commute

Williamsburg is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29), Williamsburg (I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199).

Vienna

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Drive to Downtown

~25 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

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

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Orange

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29

I-64, Rt 60, Rt 199

Commuter Rail

None

None

Walkability

Vienna is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 35 in Williamsburg. Transit scores: Vienna (30) vs Williamsburg (10). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Vienna and Colonial Williamsburg score much higher than suburban areas.

Vienna

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
35Car-Dependent

Transit Score

30

10

Bike Score

48

42

Safety

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

Vienna

VA

Williamsburg

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Average

Violent Crime

0.4/1K

1.2/1K

Property Crime

7.2/1K

15.2/1K

vs Virginia Avg

55% below Virginia average

Near Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vienna or Williamsburg more affordable?

Williamsburg is more affordable with a median home price of $370K, compared to $960K in Vienna. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M. Williamsburg prices range from $150K–$1.5M.

Which has better schools, Vienna or Williamsburg?

Vienna has stronger schools overall, with a 92% average pass rate compared to 84% in Williamsburg. Top schools in Vienna include James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. In Williamsburg, standout schools include Lafayette High School and Warhill High School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Vienna or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~25 minutes. Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU). Williamsburg has no direct Metro access.

Is Vienna or Williamsburg better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Vienna offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity. Williamsburg blends colonial history with modern living. 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.