Fair Oaks, VA vs Reston, VA

Fair Oaks, VA and Reston, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Fair Oaks scores 154 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 Fair Oaks is $2,242/month compared to $2,170/month in Reston — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Reston has cheaper rent, Fair Oaks actually has lower median home values ($580,500 vs $616,000).

Median household income in Fair Oaks is $119,387 compared to $139,515 in Reston (-14.4%). 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 Fair Oaks spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Reston.