Market Overview
Gaithersburg's median sold price is $515K with homes averaging 34 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 $515K), a difference of about $76K. Reston moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 34 in Gaithersburg. Gaithersburg offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1.2M.
Gaithersburg
MD
Reston
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$515K
$591K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
34 days
26 days
Price Range
$175K–$1.2M
$250K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Kentlands, Lakelands, Quince Orchard, Washington Square
Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods
Schools
Gaithersburg has a 76% average SOL pass rate; Reston has 83% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Gaithersburg include Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg High School; in Reston, South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. See Gaithersburg schools | See Reston schools
Gaithersburg
MD
Reston
VA
Avg Pass Rate
76%
83%
Public schools
Quince Orchard High School, Gaithersburg High School, Ridgeview Middle School
South Lakes High School, Langston Hughes Middle School, Terraset Elementary
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Reston is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Gaithersburg has 1 Metro station, including Shady Grove on the Red line. Reston has 2 Metro stations, including Reston Town Center on the Silver line. Major highway access: Gaithersburg (I-270, I-370, Rt 355), Reston (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267).
Gaithersburg
MD
Reston
VA
Drive to Downtown
~35 min
~30 min
Metro Stations
1 Metro station (nearest: Shady Grove)
2 Metro stations (nearest: Reston Town Center)
Metro Lines
Red
Silver
Major Highways
I-270, I-370, Rt 355, Rt 28
Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267
Commuter Rail
MARC (Brunswick Line)
None
Walkability
Reston is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45 (Car-Dependent), compared to 42 in Gaithersburg. Transit scores: Gaithersburg (32) vs Reston (35). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kentlands and Lake Anne score much higher than suburban areas.
Gaithersburg
MD
Reston
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
32
35
Bike Score
45
52
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Gaithersburg and Reston. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.
Gaithersburg
MD
Reston
VA
Reported Violent Crime
1.3/1K
0.8/1K
Reported Property Crime
15.1/1K
11.5/1K
MD
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaithersburg or Reston more affordable?
Gaithersburg is more affordable with a median sold price of $515K, 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. Gaithersburg prices range from $175K–$1.2M. Reston prices range from $250K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Gaithersburg and Reston?
Gaithersburg public schools have a 76% average SOL pass rate; Reston has 83% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Gaithersburg include Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg High 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, Gaithersburg or Reston?
Reston has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Gaithersburg has Metro access (Shady Grove). Reston has Metro access (Reston Town Center).
How do Gaithersburg and Reston compare?
Gaithersburg is a diverse city along the I-270 corridor in Montgomery County. 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 lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records 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 September 2026.