Portsmouth, VA vs Reston, VA

The cost of living difference between Portsmouth, VA and Reston, VA is dramatic. Portsmouth is 40.9% cheaper than Reston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Portsmouth has a cost index of 91 while Reston sits at 155, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Portsmouth is $1,266/month compared to $2,170/month in Reston — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $229,400 median vs $616,000.

Median household income in Portsmouth is $58,972 compared to $139,515 in Reston (-57.7%). 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 Portsmouth spend roughly 25.8% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Reston.