Data current as of October 2026. NVAR and George Mason University publish their 2027 forecast each December, so we label which figures are 2026 baselines.
Thinking about living in Reston in 2027? Here are straight answers to what buyers ask us most: prices, fees, schools, commutes, and what daily life actually looks like.
What is it like to live in Reston, VA?
Reston is a planned community of roughly 63,000 people in western Fairfax County, founded in 1964 by Robert E. Simon Jr. around a “live, work, play” idea. It is not a city or town, so there is no mayor. Fairfax County provides services, and Reston Association (RA) runs the shared amenities. You get about 55 miles of paved paths, four RA-managed lakes, village centers, and an urban core at Reston Town Center.
How much do homes cost in Reston in 2027?
Redfin put the median sale price at $647,571 in August 2026, up 7.9% year over year. Price depends heavily on home type:
| Home type | Median sale price (Redfin, 2026) |
|---|---|
| All home types | $647,571 (Aug 2026, +7.9% YoY) |
| Single-family | $1,139,421 |
| Townhouse | $680,134 |
| Condo / co-op | $377,357 |
On pace, one local analysis of 4,958 closed Reston sales found 48% of 2026 sales went under contract within a week, down from 61% in 2024. Homes that sat 61 to 90 days sold near 96% of original list price.
What about 2027? There is no official 2027 forecast yet. NVAR and George Mason’s mid-year 2026 outlook projects regional single-family prices up 1.5% to 3.5% and townhomes up 1.5% to 3.8%. Condos range from a 0.2% decline to a 2.9% gain, with condo inventory 31% to 46.9% above 2025. Read that as a baseline: detached homes and townhomes stay tight, and condo buyers have more leverage.
What does Reston Association cost, and what do you get?
The 2026 RA assessment is $890 per lot, due January 1. It funds 15 pools, tennis and pickleball courts, 55 miles of pathways, more than 1,300 acres of open space, the lakes, and the Walker Nature Center. Pool, tennis and pickleball passes are included for members.
Budget for a second bill. Most townhomes sit in a cluster with its own dues, condos carry association fees, and properties inside Reston Town Center answer to the Reston Town Center Association instead. Ask for the full fee breakdown before you write an offer.
What is there to do in Reston?
- Reston Town Center: open since 1990, with 50+ retailers, about 35 restaurants and a cinema. The Ice Skating Pavilion (1818 Discovery St.) runs roughly November through March with daily public skating and on-site skate rentals. The holiday parade and tree lighting fall on the day after Thanksgiving.
- Lake Anne Plaza: the original village center, home to the Reston Farmers Market, the Cardboard Boat Regatta, the Pride Festival, and waterfront dining.
- Lakes and trails: Lake Anne, Lake Audubon, Lake Thoreau and Lake Newport are RA lakes (Reston has five in total). Non-motorized boating and fishing in designated areas are allowed. Swimming is not.
Which schools serve Reston?
Most of Reston feeds South Lakes High School (about 2,434 students; 55% IB participation; ranked 62nd in Virginia by U.S. News). Parts of Reston feed Herndon High, and small areas south of Route 7 feed Langley.
The 2027 change to know: Skyview High School, a new school in the Floris area near Herndon, opened in fall 2026 as opt-in. Its approved boundaries take effect in 2027-28 and will reassign roughly 384 current South Lakes students. FCPS assigns schools by street address, so check any home in the FCPS Boundary Locator before you make an offer.
How is the commute from Reston?
The Silver Line serves Reston at Wiehle-Reston East (opened 2014) and Reston Town Center (opened November 15, 2022). Downtown DC is roughly 40 minutes by Metro, and Dulles Airport is about 15 minutes by car. Walking distance to a station varies enormously by address, so measure it before you fall in love with a house.
Is the job market strong enough to buy in 2027?
Fairfax County’s unemployment rate was 3.4% in July 2026, compared with 3.3% a year earlier. The wider DC metro area was 4.1% in June. Federal workforce cuts pushed the number of job seekers more than 17% above December 2024, but county data suggests conditions are stabilizing. If your income depends on federal work or contracting, get fully pre-approved and keep a cash reserve before you shop.
Who is the best realtor in Reston?
There is no single answer, so judge on evidence: recent closings in your price range and home type, fluency with RA, cluster and condo documents, honest school-boundary answers, and clear written buyer-agreement terms (required since August 2024).
23 Homes (Glenn and Gift Hughes, Keller Williams) helps buyers and sellers across Reston, Herndon and Vienna. Glenn is also a licensed general contractor, which helps when reading inspection reports on older Reston homes.
Talk to 23 Homes about Reston
Want a price opinion or a short list built around your commute and school priorities? Contact 23 Homes, backed by a 99.9% success rate, and we will send comps for your specific cluster, not a county-wide average.
Related: Living in Herndon, VA | Living in Vienna, VA | More Fairfax County guides
Sources: Redfin; NVAR and NVAR/GMU mid-year forecast; Reston Association; Reston Town Center; FCPS Skyview FAQ; FFXnow (Va. Dept. of Workforce Development data).
