Ashburn, VA vs Herndon, VA

Herndon is moderately more affordable than Ashburn, with a 10% lower cost of living index. Ashburn scores 165 compared to 150 for Herndon, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ashburn can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ashburn is $2,397/month compared to $2,147/month in Herndon — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Herndon is more affordable at $568,700 median vs $659,000.

Median household income in Ashburn is $152,094 compared to $141,418 in Herndon (+7.5%). The higher salaries in Ashburn partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashburn spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Herndon.