Blacksburg, VA vs Bowie, MD
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Blacksburg
72.5
#869 nationally
Bowie
69.4
#1212 nationally
Bowie leads in median household income ($138,797 vs $42,012). Blacksburg leads in crime level (2.1 vs 5.3). Blacksburg leads in average commute (14.9 min vs 36.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Blacksburg, VA | Bowie, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.5 (#869) | 69.4 (#1212) |
| Population | 45,485 | 57,254 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $425,635 | $526,880 |
| Median Household Income | $42,012 | $138,797 |
| Average Commute | 14.9 min | 36.1 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 2.1 | 5.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 119 | 134 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+3.5 | D+75.2 |
C-
72.5 Score
Blacksburg, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$425,635
Population
45,485
Crime
Low
Walk Score
43
Northeast
View Blacksburg, VA →
D+
69.4 Score
Bowie, MD
Maryland community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$526,880
Population
57,254
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
25
Northeast
View Bowie, MD →