Alexandria, VA vs Reston, VA

Alexandria, VA and Reston, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Alexandria scores 157 while Reston scores 155 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alexandria is $2,031/month compared to $2,170/month in Reston — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Alexandria has cheaper rent, Reston actually has lower median home values ($616,000 vs $696,800).

Median household income in Alexandria is $113,638 compared to $139,515 in Reston (-18.5%). Reston offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alexandria spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Reston.