City Comparison

Reston vs Silver Spring: How they compare

Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. Silver Spring is a diverse, transit-rich community just north of the D. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Reston's median sold price is $591K with homes averaging 26 days on market; Silver Spring is at $540K and 35 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Reston is pricier ($591K median vs $540K), a difference of about $51K. Reston moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 35 in Silver Spring. Silver Spring offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1.5M.

Reston

VA

Silver Spring

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$591K

$540K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

26 days

35 days

Price Range

$250K–$1.5M

$175K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods

Downtown Silver Spring, Woodside, East Silver Spring, Woodmoor

VA

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MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reston or Silver Spring more affordable?

Silver Spring is more affordable with a median sold price of $540K, 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. Silver Spring prices range from $175K–$1.5M.

How do Reston and Silver Spring compare?

Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. Silver Spring is a diverse, transit-rich community just north of the D. 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.

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