Market Overview
Germantown's median sold price is $430K with homes averaging 33 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 $430K), a difference of about $161K. Reston moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 33 in Germantown. Germantown offers a lower entry point at $175K–$850K.
Germantown
MD
Reston
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$430K
$591K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
33 days
26 days
Price Range
$175K–$850K
$250K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Churchill Village, Clopper's Mill, Gunners Lake, Kings Valley
Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods
Schools
Germantown has a 78% average SOL pass rate; Reston has 83% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Germantown include Northwest High School and Seneca Valley High School; in Reston, South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. See Germantown schools | See Reston schools
Germantown
MD
Reston
VA
Avg Pass Rate
78%
83%
Public schools
Northwest High School, Seneca Valley High School, Roberto Clemente 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 ~40 minutes. Reston has 2 Metro stations, including Reston Town Center on the Silver line. Major highway access: Germantown (I-270, Rt 118, Rt 355), Reston (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267).
Germantown
MD
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-270, Rt 118, Rt 355
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 28 in Germantown. Transit scores: Germantown (22) vs Reston (35). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Churchill Village and Lake Anne score much higher than suburban areas.
Germantown
MD
Reston
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
22
35
Bike Score
32
52
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Germantown 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.
Germantown
MD
Reston
VA
Reported Violent Crime
1/1K
0.8/1K
Reported Property Crime
12.5/1K
11.5/1K
MD
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Germantown or Reston more affordable?
Germantown is more affordable with a median sold price of $430K, 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. Germantown prices range from $175K–$850K. Reston prices range from $250K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Germantown and Reston?
Germantown public schools have a 78% average SOL pass rate; Reston has 83% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Germantown include Northwest High School and Seneca Valley 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, Germantown or Reston?
Reston has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Germantown has no direct Metro access. Reston has Metro access (Reston Town Center).
How do Germantown and Reston compare?
Germantown is one of Maryland's largest census-designated places, with a range of home prices, retail, parks, and access to the I-270 corridor. 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.