Market Overview
Reston's median sold price is $591K with homes averaging 26 days on market; Stafford is at $545K and 37 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Reston is pricier ($591K median vs $545K), a difference of about $46K. Reston moves faster, with homes averaging 26 days on market compared to 37 in Stafford. Stafford offers a lower entry point at $108K–$1.3M.
Reston
VA
Stafford
VA
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$591K
$545K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
26 days
37 days
Price Range
$250K–$1.5M
$108K–$1.3M
Notable Neighborhoods
Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods
Aquia Harbour, Stafford Lakes, Embrey Mill, Winding Creek
Schools
Reston has a 83% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Reston include South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. See Reston schools | See Stafford schools
Reston
VA
Stafford
VA
Avg Pass Rate
83%
77%
Public schools
South Lakes High School, Langston Hughes Middle School, Terraset Elementary
North Stafford High School, Mountain View High School, Stafford High School
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 ~55 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), Stafford (I-95, Rt 1, Rt 610).
Reston
VA
Stafford
VA
Drive to Downtown
~30 min
~55 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, Rt 1, Rt 610
Commuter Rail
None
VRE (Fredericksburg line)
Property Tax
On a $591K home in Reston, you would pay ~$6,563/yr in property tax. In Stafford, a $545K home costs ~$5,717/yr. Stafford has the lower rate at $1.049 per $100 of assessed value.
Reston
VA
Stafford
VA
Rate per $100
$1.110
$1.049
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$6,563/yr
$5,717/yr
Notes
Fairfax County rate
None
Walkability
Reston is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45 (Car-Dependent), compared to 15 in Stafford. Transit scores: Reston (35) vs Stafford (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Lake Anne and Aquia Harbour score much higher than suburban areas.
Reston
VA
Stafford
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
35
8
Bike Score
52
18
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Reston and Stafford. 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
Stafford
VA
Reported Violent Crime
0.8/1K
0.9/1K
Reported Property Crime
11.5/1K
10.8/1K
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reston or Stafford more affordable?
Stafford is more affordable with a median sold price of $545K, 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. Stafford prices range from $108K–$1.3M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Reston and Stafford?
Reston public schools have a 83% average SOL pass rate; Stafford has 77% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Reston include South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School; in Stafford, North Stafford High School and Mountain View 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 Stafford?
Reston has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~55 minutes. Reston has Metro access (Reston Town Center). Stafford has no direct Metro access.
What are property taxes in Reston vs Stafford?
Reston has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$6,563/yr on a $591K home). Stafford's rate is $1.049 per $100 (~$5,717/yr on a $545K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
How do Reston and Stafford compare?
Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. Stafford County offers affordable homes and a growing community south 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.