Fredericksburg, VA vs Reston, VA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fredericksburg is 20.9% cheaper than Reston. With a cost index of 122 vs 155, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fredericksburg to Reston should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fredericksburg is $1,521/month compared to $2,170/month in Reston — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fredericksburg is more affordable at $461,500 median vs $616,000.

Median household income in Fredericksburg is $85,368 compared to $139,515 in Reston (-38.8%). 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 Fredericksburg spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Reston.