Reston 88 Exceptional
Reston Livability #7 ranked city in Virginia#142 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Reston

PROS
  • Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

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What's it like Living in Reston?

Reston, Virginia is a mid-sized city with a population of 61,418 residents. With a population density of 4,003 people per square mile, Reston is well above the nation's average density level. The majority of Reston residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Reston is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 29 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Reston could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Virginia if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Reston and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Reston to Virginia and the national average.

Reston, VA receives 87 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #6 in Virginia and #138 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Reston could be a great choice! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. For each of the livability categories, we know that Reston ranks very well for amenities (B), crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (A-). Reston does not do well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

If you're considering living in Reston, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Reston provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Reston Town Center, Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole, and Lake Fairfax Park.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Reston have an average test score of 80%, which is well above the US average.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Reston has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Reston is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Reston come in at $514,300, which is 107% higher than the Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Reston, the home price to income ratio is 4.2, which is 10.5% higher than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Reston

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Reston?

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Compare Reston, VA Livability

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      Reston transportation information

      Statistic Reston Virginia National
      Average one way commute29min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work65.0%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.4%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit8.4%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.4%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home13.6%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Reston, VA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).