Market Overview
Fairfax is pricier ($640K median vs $570K), a difference of about $70K. Both cities average 14 days on market. Reston offers a lower entry point at $250K–$1.5M.
Fairfax
VA
Reston
VA
Median Price
$640K
$570K
Avg Days on Market
14 days
14 days
Price Range
$350K–$1.5M
$250K–$1.5M
Top Neighborhoods
Mantua, Cobbdale, Greenbriar, Country Club Hills
Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods
Schools
Fairfax leads on school quality with a 87% average pass rate (rated Excellent) compared to 83% in Reston. Top schools in Fairfax include Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley High School. In Reston, families look to South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. See Fairfax schools | See Reston schools
Fairfax
VA
Reston
VA
Quality Tier
Excellent
Strong
Avg Pass Rate
87%
83%
Top Schools
Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech, Langley High School, McLean High School
South Lakes High School, Langston Hughes Middle School, Terraset Elementary
Pass Rate
Commute
Reston is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Fairfax has 2 Metro stations, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Reston has 2 Metro stations, including Reston Town Center on the Silver line. Major highway access: Fairfax (I-66, I-495, Rt 50), Reston (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267).
Fairfax
VA
Reston
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~30 min
Metro Stations
2 Metro stations (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)
2 Metro stations (nearest: Reston Town Center)
Metro Lines
Orange
Silver
Major Highways
I-66, I-495, Rt 50, Rt 29
Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267
Commuter Rail
None
None
Property Tax
On a $640K home in Fairfax, you would pay ~$7,104/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.
Fairfax
VA
Reston
VA
Rate per $100
$1.110
$1.110
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$7,104/yr
$6,327/yr
Notes
Fairfax County rate; City of Fairfax is $1.075
Fairfax County rate
Walkability
Reston is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45 (Car-Dependent), compared to 35 in Fairfax. Transit scores: Fairfax (28) vs Reston (35). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Mantua and Lake Anne score much higher than suburban areas.
Fairfax
VA
Reston
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
28
35
Bike Score
42
52
Safety
Reston is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 27% below Virginia average. Fairfax is rated "Safe" (35% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.
Fairfax
VA
Reston
VA
Safety Rating
Violent Crime
0.8/1K
0.8/1K
Property Crime
10.2/1K
11.5/1K
vs Virginia Avg
35% below Virginia average
27% below Virginia average
VA
Find agents in Fairfax
Browse verified agents with real sales data in Fairfax.
View top agentsVA
Find agents in Reston
Browse verified agents with real sales data in Reston.
View top agentsRelated Comparisons
See how other nearby cities stack up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairfax or Reston more affordable?
Reston is more affordable with a median home price of $570K, compared to $640K in Fairfax. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Fairfax prices range from $350K–$1.5M. Reston prices range from $250K–$1.5M.
Which has better schools, Fairfax or Reston?
Fairfax has stronger schools overall, with a 87% average pass rate compared to 83% in Reston. Top schools in Fairfax include Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech and Langley 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, Fairfax or Reston?
Reston has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Fairfax has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU). Reston has Metro access (Reston Town Center).
What are property taxes in Fairfax vs Reston?
Fairfax has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,104/yr on a $640K 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 Fairfax or Reston better for families?
Both cities are popular with families. Fairfax combines excellent schools, diverse dining, and easy access to major employers. 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.