City Comparison

Reston vs Warrenton: How they compare

Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. Warrenton is the county seat of Fauquier County, known for its equestrian culture, charming Old Town, and rolling countryside. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Reston is pricier ($570K median vs $500K), a difference of about $70K. Reston moves faster, with homes averaging 14 days on market compared to 28 in Warrenton. Warrenton offers a lower entry point at $225K–$2M.

Reston

VA

Warrenton

VA

Median Price

$570K

$500K

Avg Days on Market

14 days

28 days

Price Range

$250K–$1.5M

$225K–$2M

Top Neighborhoods

Lake Anne, North Point, South Lakes, Hunters Woods

Old Town Warrenton, Blackwell, Vint Hill, Rittenour

Schools

Reston has a 83% average SOL pass rate; Warrenton has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Reston include South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School; in Warrenton, Fauquier High School and Taylor Middle School. See Reston schools | See Warrenton schools

Reston

VA

Warrenton

VA

Avg Pass Rate

83%

78%

Public schools

South Lakes High School, Langston Hughes Middle School, Terraset Elementary

Fauquier High School, Taylor Middle School, Brumfield Elementary

Pass Rate

83%
78%

Commute

Reston is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~60 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), Warrenton (Rt 29, Rt 17, Rt 211).

Reston

VA

Warrenton

VA

Drive to Downtown

~30 min

~60 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

Rt 29, Rt 17, Rt 211, Rt 15/29

Commuter Rail

None

None

Walkability

Reston is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45 (Car-Dependent), compared to 32 in Warrenton. Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Lake Anne and Old Town Warrenton score much higher than suburban areas.

Reston

VA

Warrenton

VA

Walk Score

45Car-Dependent
32Car-Dependent

Bike Score

52

28

VA

Find agents in Reston

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Reston.

View agents

VA

Find agents in Warrenton

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Warrenton.

View agents

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reston or Warrenton more affordable?

Warrenton is more affordable with a median home price of $500K, compared to $570K in Reston. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Reston prices range from $250K–$1.5M. Warrenton prices range from $225K–$2M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Reston and Warrenton?

Reston public schools have a 83% average SOL pass rate; Warrenton has 78% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Reston include South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School; in Warrenton, Fauquier High School and Taylor Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Reston or Warrenton?

Reston has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~60 minutes. Reston has Metro access (Reston Town Center). Warrenton has no direct Metro access.

How do Reston and Warrenton compare?

Reston is a planned community built around lakes, wooded trails, and town centers. Warrenton is the county seat of Fauquier County, known for its equestrian culture, charming Old Town, and rolling countryside. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

Market data verified by smover using real transaction records. 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 June 2026.

Stay ahead of the market

Join buyers, sellers, and agents across Northern Virginia getting weekly market updates, new listings, and tips. Free, every Monday.

Trusted in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and 19 more cities

Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.

Take ownership of your move.

You choose the home, the agent, the lender. We take care of everything in between.

Reston vs Warrenton: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover