City Comparison

Centreville vs Reston: Which is right for your family?

Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Centreville is pricier ($600K median vs $570K), a difference of about $30K. Reston moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 16 in Centreville. Reston offers a lower entry point at $250K–$1.5M.

Centreville

VA

Reston

VA

Median Price

$600K

$570K

Avg Days on Market

16 days

14 days

Price Range

$245K–$3.1M

$250K–$1.5M

Top Neighborhoods

Centre Ridge, Sully Station, Virginia Run, Little Rocky Run

Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods

Schools

Centreville leads on school quality with a 84% average pass rate (rated Strong) compared to 83% in Reston. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Reston, families look to South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. See Centreville schools | See Reston schools

Centreville

VA

Reston

VA

Quality Tier

Strong

Strong

Avg Pass Rate

84%

83%

Top Schools

Centreville High School, Westfield High School, Liberty Middle School

South Lakes High School, Langston Hughes Middle School, Terraset Elementary

Pass Rate

84%
83%

Commute

Reston is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Reston has 2 Metro stations, including Reston Town Center on the Silver line. Major highway access: Centreville (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29), Reston (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267).

Centreville

VA

Reston

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Reston Town Center)

Metro Lines

N/A

Silver

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 29

Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267

Commuter Rail

None

None

Property Tax

On a $600K home in Centreville, you would pay ~$6,660/yr in property tax. In Reston, a $570K home costs ~$6,327/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Centreville

VA

Reston

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,660/yr

$6,327/yr

Notes

Fairfax County rate

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Reston is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45 (Car-Dependent), compared to 25 in Centreville. Transit scores: Centreville (15) vs Reston (35). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Centre Ridge and Lake Anne score much higher than suburban areas.

Centreville

VA

Reston

VA

Walk Score

25Car-Dependent
45Car-Dependent

Transit Score

15

35

Bike Score

28

52

Safety

Centreville is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 42% below Virginia average. Reston is rated "Safe" (27% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Centreville

VA

Reston

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.7/1K

0.8/1K

Property Crime

9.1/1K

11.5/1K

vs Virginia Avg

42% below Virginia average

27% below Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Centreville or Reston more affordable?

Reston is more affordable with a median home price of $570K, compared to $600K in Centreville. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Centreville prices range from $245K–$3.1M. Reston prices range from $250K–$1.5M.

Which has better schools, Centreville or Reston?

Centreville has stronger schools overall, with a 84% average pass rate compared to 83% in Reston. Top schools in Centreville include Centreville High School and Westfield High School. In Reston, standout schools include South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. School quality varies by neighborhood, so check specific school zones when evaluating homes.

Which is easier to commute from, Centreville or Reston?

Reston has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Centreville has no direct Metro access. Reston has Metro access (Reston Town Center).

What are property taxes in Centreville vs Reston?

Centreville has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$6,660/yr on a $600K home). Reston's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$6,327/yr on a $570K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

Is Centreville or Reston better for families?

Both cities are popular with families. Centreville offers spacious homes and family-friendly neighborhoods at accessible price points. Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. 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.