City Comparison

Fredericksburg vs Reston: How they compare

Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. 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

Fredericksburg's median sold price is $470K with homes averaging 37 days on market; Reston is at $591K and 26 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Reston is pricier ($591K median vs $470K), a difference of about $121K. Reston moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 37 in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg offers a lower entry point at $151K–$3.8M.

Fredericksburg

VA

Reston

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$470K

$591K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

37 days

26 days

Price Range

$151K–$3.8M

$250K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown, College Heights, Idlewild, Braehead

Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods

Schools

Fredericksburg has a 73% average SOL pass rate; Reston has 83% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant Middle School; in Reston, South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. See Fredericksburg schools | See Reston schools

Fredericksburg

VA

Reston

VA

Avg Pass Rate

73%

83%

Public schools

James Monroe High School, Walker-Grant Middle School

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

Pass Rate

73%
83%

Commute

Reston is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Reston has 2 Metro stations, including Reston Town Center on the Silver line. Major highway access: Fredericksburg (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 3), Reston (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267).

Fredericksburg

VA

Reston

VA

Drive to Downtown

~65 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 3

Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

None

Property Tax

On a $470K home in Fredericksburg, you would pay ~$3,995/yr in property tax. In Reston, a $591K home costs ~$6,563/yr. Fredericksburg has the lower rate at $0.850 per $100 of assessed value.

Fredericksburg

VA

Reston

VA

Rate per $100

$0.850

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$3,995/yr

$6,563/yr

Notes

None

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Reston is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45 (Car-Dependent), compared to 42 in Fredericksburg. Transit scores: Fredericksburg (12) vs Reston (35). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown and Lake Anne score much higher than suburban areas.

Fredericksburg

VA

Reston

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
45Car-Dependent

Transit Score

12

35

Bike Score

38

52

Safety

Reston is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 27% below Virginia average. Fredericksburg is rated "Below Average" (47% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Fredericksburg

VA

Reston

VA

Safety Rating

Below Average
Safe

Violent Crime

2.8/1K

0.8/1K

Property Crime

22.1/1K

11.5/1K

vs Virginia Avg

47% above Virginia average

27% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fredericksburg or Reston more affordable?

Fredericksburg is more affordable with a median sold price of $470K, compared to $591K in Reston (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Fredericksburg prices range from $151K–$3.8M. Reston prices range from $250K–$1.5M.

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

Fredericksburg public schools have a 73% average SOL pass rate; Reston has 83% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Fredericksburg include James Monroe High School and Walker-Grant 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, Fredericksburg or Reston?

Reston has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Fredericksburg has no direct Metro access. Reston has Metro access (Reston Town Center).

What are property taxes in Fredericksburg vs Reston?

Fredericksburg has a property tax rate of $0.850 per $100 (~$3,995/yr on a $470K home). Reston's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$6,563/yr on a $591K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Fredericksburg and Reston compare?

Fredericksburg is a historic riverfront city with a vibrant downtown, unique shops, and a growing arts scene. 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.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. 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 August 2026.

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Fredericksburg vs Reston: $470K vs $591K (2026) | smover