| Index | Reston | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 150 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 258 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 107 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 110 | 109 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Reston can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Reston cost of living index is 150, which is 50% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Reston is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Reston falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Reston, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 157.6% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Wondering if Reston is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Reston, for example, the median home price is 182.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 100% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Reston boasting a median household income of $184,635, which is 127% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Reston, the general sales tax rate starts at 5.3%, and income tax rates begin at 2%.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Reston, the healthcare costs are 1.1% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Reston shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $207,206 | $17,267 | $4,834 | $6,217 |
| Renters | $135,783 | $11,315 | $3,168 | $4,074 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Virginia | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rose Hill CDP (Lee County), VA | 731 | 89 | 11.0% |
| Woodlawn CDP (Carroll County), VA | 2,334 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Wakefield town, VA | 838 | 92 | 8.4% |
| Leisure World, MD | 9,569 | 119 | 19.1% |
| Woodlawn, VA | 23,251 | 115 | 15.5% |
| Reston, VA | 63,840 | 150 | 49.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fredericton, NB | 63,818 | n/a | |
| Palm Harbor, FL | 63,813 | 113 | 13.4% |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 63,786 | 90 | 10.1% |
| Pico Rivera, CA | 63,899 | 148 | 47.8% |
| Hamilton, OH | 64,032 | 88 | 12.1% |
| Reston, VA | 63,840 | 150 | 49.8% |
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