Market Overview
Reston's median sold price is $591K with homes averaging 26 days on market; Richmond is at $390K and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Reston is pricier ($591K median vs $390K), a difference of about $201K. Reston moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 31 in Richmond. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.
Reston
VA
Richmond
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$591K
$390K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
26 days
31 days
Price Range
$250K–$1.5M
$125K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods
The Fan, Carytown, Church Hill, Scott's Addition
Schools
Reston has a 83% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Reston include South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School. See Reston schools | See Richmond schools
Reston
VA
Richmond
VA
Avg Pass Rate
83%
67%
Public schools
South Lakes High School, Langston Hughes Middle School, Terraset Elementary
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Open High School, Thomas Jefferson High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Richmond is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Reston has 2 Metro stations, including Reston Town Center on the Silver line. Major highway access: Reston (Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267), Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195).
Reston
VA
Richmond
VA
Drive to Downtown
~30 min
~10 min
Metro Stations
2 Metro stations (nearest: Reston Town Center)
No Metro access
Metro Lines
Silver
N/A
Major Highways
Dulles Toll Road, Rt 7, Rt 267
I-95, I-64, I-195, Rt 1, Rt 301
Commuter Rail
None
None
Walkability
Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 50 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 45 in Reston. Transit scores: Reston (35) vs Richmond (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Lake Anne and The Fan score much higher than suburban areas.
Reston
VA
Richmond
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
35
28
Bike Score
52
52
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Reston and Richmond. 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.
Reston
VA
Richmond
VA
Reported Violent Crime
0.8/1K
5.8/1K
Reported Property Crime
11.5/1K
25.2/1K
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reston or Richmond more affordable?
Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $390K, 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. Reston prices range from $250K–$1.5M. Richmond prices range from $125K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Reston and Richmond?
Reston public schools have a 83% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Reston include South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Reston or Richmond?
Richmond has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~30 minutes. Reston has Metro access (Reston Town Center). Richmond has no direct Metro access.
How do Reston and Richmond compare?
Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. 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.