Lorton, VA vs Reston, VA

Reston is moderately more affordable than Lorton, with a 5.5% lower cost of living index. Lorton scores 163 compared to 155 for Reston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lorton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lorton is $2,537/month compared to $2,170/month in Reston — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Reston has cheaper rent, Lorton actually has lower median home values ($583,900 vs $616,000).

Median household income in Lorton is $136,719 compared to $139,515 in Reston (-2%). 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 Lorton spend roughly 22.3% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Reston.