Fairfax County is where families come when they want the full package: top-tier public schools, safe neighborhoods, reasonable commutes to D.C., and homes with actual yards. It is the largest jurisdiction in Northern Virginia, home to more than 1.1 million people, and it consistently appears on national lists of the best places to raise a family.
But Fairfax County is enormous. The difference between buying in Great Falls and buying in Centreville is not just price. It is lifestyle, commute, school assignments, and community character. This guide breaks down the neighborhoods that families should actually be looking at in 2026, with real pricing data and honest assessments of what each area offers.
Why Fairfax County for Families?
The short answer is schools. Fairfax County Public Schools is one of the largest and highest-performing school districts in the country, serving more than 180,000 students. The system offers a wide range of programs, including Advanced Academic centers, International Baccalaureate, and specialized STEM and arts magnets.
Beyond schools, Fairfax County offers more than 400 parks, extensive trail systems, community centers, and a library system that families genuinely use. The median home price across the county sits around $755K, which is significant but buys considerably more space than Arlington or Falls Church at comparable price points.
With 468 verified agents and thousands of recent transactions in our database, Fairfax County is one of the most active real estate markets in the region. See top verified agents in Fairfax.
The Best Neighborhoods, By Budget
Premium: Great Falls ($1.3M+)
Great Falls is Fairfax County's most exclusive residential area. Think multi-acre lots, custom-built homes, horse properties, and a rural feel that belies its proximity to Tysons and the Dulles corridor. The tradeoff is that there is no Metro access and commuting means driving, but families who value space, privacy, and top schools find it hard to beat.
Best for: Families who want acreage, privacy, and are comfortable with a car-dependent lifestyle.
Premium: McLean ($1M+)
McLean sits between Great Falls and Arlington, offering larger single-family homes on generous lots with better access to the Beltway and Tysons. The Langley High School pyramid is a major draw. McLean also has a walkable downtown village feel along Chain Bridge Road that families appreciate.
Best for: Families who want premium schools and homes with a more connected, less rural feel than Great Falls.
Upper Mid-Range: Oakton and Vienna ($900K to $1.2M)
Vienna's walkable town center, with independent restaurants and shops along Maple Avenue, gives it a character that most suburban areas lack. Oakton, just to the west, offers similar home quality at slightly lower prices. Both areas feed into strong school pyramids and have excellent access to the Vienna Metro station.
Best for: Families who want walkability, community character, and strong schools without the premium of McLean or Great Falls. See top verified agents in Vienna.
Mid-Range: Burke and Fairfax City ($650K to $850K)
Burke is a perennial family favorite. Established neighborhoods with mature trees, community pools, and a strong sense of neighborhood identity. Burke Lake Park is a genuine amenity. Fairfax City, technically an independent city surrounded by the county, offers a small-town downtown with shops, restaurants, and community events.
Homes in this range tend to be split-levels, colonials, and townhomes from the 1970s through 1990s, well-maintained and on quiet streets.
Best for: Families who want an established, family-oriented community at a more accessible price point.
Affordable Entry: Centreville and Chantilly ($550K to $700K)
Centreville and Chantilly offer the best value in Fairfax County for families. Newer construction, larger floor plans, and prices that are $100K to $200K below the county median. The tradeoff is a longer commute to D.C., though the I-66 corridor and Route 28 provide direct access to Tysons and Dulles.
Schools in this area are strong, with Westfield and Centreville High Schools both well-regarded. Chantilly, in particular, has seen significant commercial development in recent years, adding restaurants and retail that reduce the need to drive elsewhere.
Best for: Families who prioritize space and value, and who work in Tysons, Reston, or the Dulles corridor rather than downtown D.C.
Affordable Entry: Springfield ($550K to $700K)
Springfield offers excellent Metro access (Franconia-Springfield station on the Blue Line), proximity to Fort Belvoir for military families, and a strong selection of townhomes and single-family homes at below-county-median prices. The Springfield Town Center provides shopping and dining without leaving the area.
Best for: Military families, Metro commuters, and anyone who wants Fairfax County schools without Fairfax County's premium pricing.
Schools: The Deciding Factor
For most families, school assignments drive the neighborhood decision. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Advanced Academic Programs: Fairfax County offers Level IV (full-time) Advanced Academic centers at both the elementary and middle school levels. Placement is competitive, and the specific center your child attends depends on your address.
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST): The most selective public high school in Virginia and one of the top in the nation. Admission is county-wide, so your neighborhood does not determine eligibility, but proximity matters for daily commutes.
- Boundary changes: FCPS periodically adjusts school boundaries to balance enrollment. Before buying, verify current assignments and check whether any boundary studies are underway for your target schools.
Commute Considerations
Fairfax County is car-dependent for most families, but Metro access varies significantly by neighborhood:
- Metro-accessible: Vienna (Orange Line), Springfield (Blue Line), Reston (Silver Line)
- Moderate commute: Burke, Fairfax City (bus connections, 30 to 45 minutes to D.C.)
- Car-dependent: Great Falls, Centreville, Chantilly (45 to 60+ minutes to D.C. by car)
If both parents work, map your commutes separately. A neighborhood that works beautifully for one job might add an hour to the other.
Finding the Right Agent in Fairfax County
Fairfax County is large enough that agent expertise varies significantly by area. An agent who knows Burke inside and out may not have the same depth in Great Falls or Centreville. When evaluating agents, look for verified transaction history in the specific neighborhoods on your list.
On smover, you can see which agents are actively closing deals in Fairfax County, with real sales data showing their transaction history, neighborhoods served, and price points. With 468 verified agents in Fairfax, you have plenty of options to compare.
Next Steps
- Define your budget and commute constraints. These two factors will narrow your neighborhood options quickly.
- Research school assignments. Use the FCPS boundary locator to confirm which schools serve each address.
- Find a verified agent. Search agents on smover who are active in your target Fairfax County neighborhoods.
- Tour with intention. Visit neighborhoods on weekday evenings and weekend mornings to get a real sense of the community.
Fairfax County rewards buyers who do their homework. The right neighborhood and the right agent will make this one of the best decisions your family makes.
If you are also considering areas outside Fairfax County, our first-time homebuyer guide for Northern Virginia covers the full region with city-by-city price breakdowns.