salaryRent is higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 92% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 72% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $106,760 a year. That is $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Virginia. It is number 157 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Reston?
Share of households by yearly income. 59.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Reston
| Size | Reston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,299 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,125 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,353 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,789 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,962 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Reston overall?
Everyday prices in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area are 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Reston
Life in Reston
What jobs pay in Reston
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $195,190 | 16.4% |
| Operations Manager | $156,460 | 20.5% |
| Software Developer | $154,930 | 20.7% |
| Pharmacist | $150,540 | 21.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $148,200 | 21.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,840 | 23.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,040 | 25.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,170 | 26.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $102,710 | 31.2% |
| Accountant | $102,140 | 31.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,780 | 31.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $87,160 | 36.7% |
| Police Officer | $84,000 | 38.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,470 | 40.3% |
| Electrician | $75,930 | 42.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,860 | 42.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $71,920 | 44.5% |
| Plumber | $71,860 | 44.6% |
| Firefighter | $66,980 | 47.8% |
| Carpenter | $60,800 | 52.7% |
| Truck Driver | $59,820 | 53.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,640 | 68.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,220 | 69.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $46,040 | 69.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,730 | 70.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,920 | 74.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,590 | 75.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,610 | 87.5% |
| Cashier | $35,470 | 90.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Reston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,786 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $642,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $64,200 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Reston, VA?
Renting in Reston costs a median of about $2,669 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Reston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $106,760 a year, or $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Reston cheap or expensive?
Reston is rated Cheap: rent takes 20.0% of the typical household income of $160,384. It ranks 157th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Reston?
The median homeowner in Reston pays $6,573 a year in property taxes, about 1.02% of the median home value.
Is Reston more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Reston?
The median home value in Reston is $642,000, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
64,414 people live in Reston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.