Annandale, VA vs Reston, VA

Annandale, VA and Reston, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Annandale scores 150 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 Annandale is $1,932/month compared to $2,170/month in Reston — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Annandale has cheaper rent, Reston actually has lower median home values ($616,000 vs $650,100).

Median household income in Annandale is $112,872 compared to $139,515 in Reston (-19.1%). While Reston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Annandale spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Reston.