City Comparison

Dumfries vs Reston: How they compare

Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. 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

Reston is pricier ($570K median vs $450K), a difference of about $120K. Reston moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 20 in Dumfries. Dumfries offers a lower entry point at $200K–$750K.

Dumfries

VA

Reston

VA

Median Price

$450K

$570K

Avg Days on Market

20 days

14 days

Price Range

$200K–$750K

$250K–$1.5M

Top Neighborhoods

Montclair, Potomac Club, Triangle, Cherry Hill

Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods

Schools

Dumfries has a 71% average SOL pass rate; Reston has 83% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Dumfries include Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School; in Reston, South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. See Dumfries schools | See Reston schools

Dumfries

VA

Reston

VA

Avg Pass Rate

71%

83%

Public schools

Forest Park High School, Graham Park Middle School, Leesylvania Elementary

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

Pass Rate

71%
83%

Commute

Reston is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Reston has 2 Metro stations, including Reston Town Center on the Silver line. Major highway access: Dumfries (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234), Reston (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267).

Dumfries

VA

Reston

VA

Drive to Downtown

~45 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

2 Metro stations (nearest: Reston Town Center)

Metro Lines

N/A

Silver

Major Highways

I-95, Rt 1, Rt 234

Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dumfries or Reston more affordable?

Dumfries is more affordable with a median home price of $450K, compared to $570K in Reston. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Dumfries prices range from $200K–$750K. Reston prices range from $250K–$1.5M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Dumfries and Reston?

Dumfries public schools have a 71% average SOL pass rate; Reston has 83% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Dumfries include Forest Park High School and Graham Park Middle School; in Reston, South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Dumfries or Reston?

Reston has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~45 minutes. Dumfries has no direct Metro access. Reston has Metro access (Reston Town Center).

How do Dumfries and Reston compare?

Dumfries is a historic town in Prince William County offering affordable homes near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

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 June 2026.

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Dumfries vs Reston: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover