Reston, VA vs Waynesboro, VA

The cost of living difference between Reston, VA and Waynesboro, VA is dramatic. Waynesboro is 90% cheaper than Reston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Reston has a cost index of 155 while Waynesboro sits at 81, 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 Reston is $2,170/month compared to $972/month in Waynesboro — a 123% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waynesboro is more affordable at $236,600 median vs $616,000.

Median household income in Reston is $139,515 compared to $56,364 in Waynesboro (+147.5%). 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 Reston spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, less than the 20.7% in Waynesboro.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.7°F vs 56.3°F). Waynesboro receives more rainfall at 48.2" per year compared to 43.2" in Reston.