Chevy Chase, DC vs. Chevy Chase, MD

Crossing Western Avenue into Maryland lands you in Chevy Chase Village, Town of Chevy Chase, and other MD municipalities, each with separate government services and somewhat lower property taxes.

On the DC side, you’re under District of Columbia Public Schools, enjoy quicker city services, and qualify for District programs. Median values run slightly higher in DC, but both deliver classic lawns, sidewalks, and catalog homes.

Why Residents Love Chevy Chase

Ask Chevy Chase residents and you’ll hear the same refrain: big front lawns, small‑town vibes, and an easy commute to Downtown Washington.

Single‑family homes—many Tudors, Colonials, Cape Cods, and Sears catalog homes—line streets planted a century ago, creating a green neighborhood whose canopy cools humid DC summers.

Rock Creek’s trails, Lafayette’s ballfields, and the commercial strip along Connecticut Avenue keep weekends busy, while the Red Line and frequent buses provide Downtown Washington by bus or rail in about 20 minutes.

History and Character of the Neighborhood

Chevy Chase Neighborhood Origin

In the late 1880s, silver‑baron‑turned‑senator Francis G. Newlands of Nevada quietly bought up farmland north of Dupont Circle, chartered the Chevy Chase Land Company, and, in 1890, founded the Chevy Chase Land development.

His team built Connecticut Avenue northward and launched the electric streetcar line—the famed Chevy Chase line—creating one of America’s first planned streetcar suburbs.

Architectural Styles

Walk any block and you’ll see sturdy single‑family homes: early‑1900s Colonial Revivals, 1920s Tudors, 1930s Cape Cods, plus a handful of Arts‑and‑Crafts bungalows.

These catalog‑era builds combine deep porches with generous lawns, and many retain original slate roofs and leaded‑glass windows that speak to historic Chevy Chase craftsmanship.

Small‑Town Feel

The neighborhood rallied to save the Avalon Theatre, one of the city’s first silent movie theaters, which opened in 1923 and still screens films today. 

Local institutions, from the Chevy Chase Community Center to the hyper‑local newspaper Community Connection, keep neighbors informed and politically engaged. 

Annual block parties culminate with Chevy Chase DC Day, a September street festival on the library plaza.

Real Estate in Chevy Chase, DC

Average Home Values in Chevy Chase, DC

Right now, the median sale price hovers around $1.4 million, according to Redfin’s June 2025 market read — a slight 7.4 percent dip year‑over‑year but still the second‑highest price point in Northwest Washington after Spring Valley.

Homes close in the $1.1 million to $2 million band for most single‑family homes, while renovated Tudors on wider lawns often break the $3 million ceiling.

Zillow’s Home Value Index pegs the neighborhood’s average at $1.41 million, up a modest 0.6 percent, underscoring how well historic Chevy Chase holds its value even during a rate‑sensitive cycle.

Expect to pay between $525 and $550 per square foot, slightly above the broader DC real estate average of $511.

Current Trends for Chevy Chase, DC Real Estate

Listing inventory ticked up this spring, giving buyers a touch more breathing room, yet Chevy Chase still moves fast: the average house spends just 14 days on market, and most close at or a hair above asking, with an average sale‑to‑list ratio of 101 percent.

Months of supply sits at 1.8, squarely in seller‑market territory.

Condos and co‑ops along Connecticut Avenue—many in 1940s brick buildings—carry a median price around $322,000, offering an attainable entry point for first‑timers eyeing the neighborhood. 

Why Buyers Love Chevy Chase

Buyers comparing Northwest enclaves find Chevy Chase delivers a rare combination: generous single‑family homes on tree‑lined streets, A‑rated elementary schools, and a 15‑minute Red Line ride to Metro Center—all at a discount to pricier Kent or Wesley Heights.

Property‑tax rates are identical to the rest of the District of Columbia, yet lot sizes and front‑yard lawns rival nearby Montgomery County suburbs.

Add in the walkable retail spine along Connecticut Avenue, steady appreciation, and limited teardown pressure thanks to historic status overlays, and it’s easy to see why many Washingtonians view Chevy Chase as the long‑term, “buy‑once, stay‑forever” neighborhood of choice. 

Things to Do in Chevy Chase, DC

Shopping and Dining on Connecticut Avenue

The flagship Politics and Prose bookstore has anchored community life since 1984, drawing Pulitzer winners and presidents to readings. 

Across the street, James Beard–winning Bread Furst bakery perfumes morning air with crusty sourdough. 

Though beloved Little Red Fox closed, its spirit lives on in independent cafés and the venerable Magruders Supermarket—a neighborhood establishment since Prohibition days. 

Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Families flock to Lafayette‑Pointer Recreation Center and its splash‑pad playground, renovated in 2021, while dog‑walkers prefer shady loops through Rock Creek Park. 

Weekend warriors bike Beach Drive for recreation beyond the neighborhood, then refuel on ice cream near Chevy Chase Circle.

Schools and Education

Public Schools in Chevy Chase

Top‑ranked Lafayette Elementary (A‑, #17 in DC) and Murch Elementary (A‑, #16) feed into Jackson‑Reed High School, offering a continuum from PK‑12 inside DCPS.

Private Schools Near Chevy Chase

Nearby options include Blessed Sacrament, Sidwell Friends, and St. John’s in Bethesda, giving families flexibility without sacrificing that raise‑a‑family neighborhood feel.

Community and Lifestyle

Chevy Chase prides itself on safety, walkability, and civic spirit.

ANC 3/4G meetings overflow, and neighbors routinely volunteer for Chevy Chase DC Day planning or the Chevy Chase Land Company’s civic‑core charrettes to redevelop the library–community‑center campus. 

With many residents working in policy or academia, coffee‑shop chatter spans baseball to zoning. Porch lights stay on, lawns stay mowed, and that nightly dog‑walk feels like a conversation with half the block.

Transportation and Commuting

The Friendship Heights and Van Ness stops on the Red Line provide accessibility to Metro Center in roughly 15 minutes during rush hour. 

Even after WMATA retired the historic L2 bus, new D‑series routes still roll the length of Connecticut, ensuring access to public transportation every few minutes. 

Cyclists cruise dedicated lanes, and a straight shot down Connecticut makes an easy commute to Downtown Washington by bus, bike, or car.

Final Thoughts on Living in Chevy Chase, DC

From catalog‑era Tudors to modern condos rising over Western Avenue, Chevy Chase offers a unique blend: a suburban pocket of DC neighborhood charm with the cultural muscle of Downtown DC minutes away.

Whether you crave front‑porch sunsets, a quick bookstore detour, or weekend hikes in Rock Creek, living in Chevy Chase delivers a lifestyle that feels equal parts historic, leafy, and undeniably convenient.

FAQ’s About Chevy Chase – A Popular DC Neighborhood

How pricey are homes for sale in Chevy Chase right now?

Most homes for sale in Chevy Chase close between $1.1 million and $2 million, with renovated five‑bedroom single‑family homes topping $3 million in peak spring markets. Median sits near $1.4 million per Redfin’s June 2025 report.

Does Chevy Chase provide good school options?

Yes. Lafayette and Murch Elementary Schools both earn A‑ grades on Niche, and many graduates continue to Woodrow Wilson High School (Jackson‑Reed) for rigorous IB and AP coursework. 

Is the area truly walkable?

With a continuous sidewalk grid, compact commercial nodes, and shaded, tree‑lined streets, most errands—from the mall at Friendship Heights to the corner coffee—are doable on foot or via stroller.

How’s the commute without a car?

Between the Red Line, Metrobus routes, and new protected bike lanes, the neighborhood provides an easy commute to Farragut Square or Downtown DC in under 25 minutes—even faster outside rush hour.

What annual events build community?

The fall‑harvest‑style Chevy Chase DC Day brings food trucks, music, and kid crafts to the library plaza each September, while summer movie nights on the lawn of Avalon and holiday sings at the community center keep calendars full year‑round.