Best suburbs to live in Virginia
Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its . Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are and new headquarters in less urban areas.
compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Virginia using data from Niche's . Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
#30. Haymarket, Virginia
- Population: 1,572
- Median household income: $153,125
- Median home value: $566,700 (83% own)
- Median rent: $2,222 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Lightridge High School (grade A+), Goshen Post Elementary (grade A), Battlefield High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pinnacle Academy (grade A+), Wakefield School (grade A+), St. Paul VI Catholic High School (grade A+)
#29. West Springfield, Virginia
- Population: 23,372
- Median household income: $154,497
- Median home value: $592,500 (81% own)
- Median rent: $2,465 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Lake Braddock Secondary School (grade A+), Keene Mill Elementary School (grade A), West Springfield High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Episcopal High School (grade A+), St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School (grade A+)
#28. Burke, Virginia
- Population: 44,228
- Median household income: $172,432
- Median home value: $647,800 (88% own)
- Median rent: $2,745 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Lake Braddock Secondary School (grade A+), Sangster Elementary School (grade A), Keene Mill Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Episcopal High School (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+)
#27. Fair Oaks, Virginia
- Population: 35,130
- Median household income: $118,819
- Median home value: $552,600 (44% own)
- Median rent: $2,222 (56% rent)
- Top public schools: Oakton High School (grade A+), Navy Elementary School (grade A), Franklin Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+)
#26. South Run, Virginia
- Population: 6,940
- Median household income: $241,786
- Median home value: $896,200 (98% own)
- Median rent: $3,501 (2% rent)
- Top public schools: Lake Braddock Secondary School (grade A+), Sangster Elementary School (grade A), Silverbrook Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Episcopal High School (grade A+), St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School (grade A+), Flint Hill School (grade A+)
#25. McLean, Virginia
- Population: 49,587
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $1,257,900 (88% own)
- Median rent: $3,319 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: McLean High School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+), Langley High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)
#24. Kingstowne, Virginia
- Population: 18,228
- Median household income: $143,577
- Median home value: $584,700 (69% own)
- Median rent: $2,320 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Montessori Public School of Arlington (grade A), Island Creek Elementary School (grade A minus), Fairhill Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Episcopal High School (grade A+), St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School (grade A+), Trinity School at Meadow View (grade A+)
#23. Fair Lakes, Virginia
- Population: 8,918
- Median household income: $123,387
- Median home value: $564,600 (59% own)
- Median rent: $2,189 (41% rent)
- Top public schools: Greenbriar West Elementary School (grade A), McNair Upper Elementary School (grade A), Katherine Johnson Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+)
#22. Reston, Virginia
- Population: 62,339
- Median household income: $135,503
- Median home value: $591,900 (61% own)
- Median rent: $2,109 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: Independence High School (grade A+), Langley High School (grade A+), Dorothy Hamm Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+), Holton-Arms School (grade A+)
#21. Merrifield, Virginia
- Population: 19,923
- Median household income: $134,022
- Median home value: $595,100 (38% own)
- Median rent: $2,253 (62% rent)
- Top public schools: Oakton High School (grade A+), Dorothy Hamm Middle School (grade A+), James Madison High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+), Holton-Arms School (grade A+)
#20. Belmont, Virginia
- Population: 9,888
- Median household income: $212,159
- Median home value: $750,800 (88% own)
- Median rent: $2,897 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Independence High School (grade A+), Stone Bridge High School (grade A+), Waxpool Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+), Fairfax Christian School (grade A+)
#19. Ashburn, Virginia
- Population: 45,479
- Median household income: $147,192
- Median home value: $618,000 (69% own)
- Median rent: $2,266 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Independence High School (grade A+), Lightridge High School (grade A+), Briar Woods High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+)
#18. Lansdowne, Virginia
- Population: 12,840
- Median household income: $160,127
- Median home value: $715,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $2,154 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Independence High School (grade A+), Riverside High School (grade A+), Waxpool Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+), Fairfax Christian School (grade A+)
#17. Dunn Loring, Virginia
- Population: 8,707
- Median household income: $238,734
- Median home value: $915,300 (88% own)
- Median rent: $3,501 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Dorothy Hamm Middle School (grade A+), James Madison High School (grade A), Thoreau Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+), Holton-Arms School (grade A+)
#16. Mantua, Virginia
- Population: 7,531
- Median household income: $196,726
- Median home value: $890,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,847 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: W. T. Woodson High School (grade A), Frost Middle School (grade A), Mantua Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+), Holton-Arms School (grade A+)
#15. Wakefield, Virginia
- Population: 11,621
- Median household income: $194,615
- Median home value: $769,700 (91% own)
- Median rent: $3,324 (9% rent)
- Top public schools: W. T. Woodson High School (grade A), Frost Middle School (grade A), Canterbury Woods Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+), Holton-Arms School (grade A+)
#14. Falls Church, Virginia
- Population: 14,576
- Median household income: $164,536
- Median home value: $938,500 (56% own)
- Median rent: $2,074 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+), Meridian High School (grade A+), Dorothy Hamm Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)
#13. Wyndham, Virginia
- Population: 12,110
- Median household income: $225,038
- Median home value: $667,700 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,921 (9% rent)
- Top public schools: Deep Run High School (grade A+), Twin Hickory Elementary School (grade A minus), Rivers Edge Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Steward School (grade A+), St. Christopher's School (grade A+), Collegiate School (grade A+)
#12. Oakton, Virginia
- Population: 36,529
- Median household income: $158,343
- Median home value: $763,000 (67% own)
- Median rent: $2,245 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Oakton High School (grade A+), James Madison High School (grade A), Mosaic Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+), Holton-Arms School (grade A+)
#11. Vienna, Virginia
- Population: 16,401
- Median household income: $215,556
- Median home value: $912,500 (85% own)
- Median rent: $2,410 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Dorothy Hamm Middle School (grade A+), James Madison High School (grade A), Westbriar Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+), Holton-Arms School (grade A+)
#10. Cascades, Virginia
- Population: 12,542
- Median household income: $160,707
- Median home value: $582,800 (70% own)
- Median rent: $2,570 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Waxpool Elementary School (grade A), Potomac Falls High School (grade A), McNair Upper Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+), Fairfax Christian School (grade A+)
#9. Franklin Farm, Virginia
- Population: 18,903
- Median household income: $209,442
- Median home value: $767,900 (92% own)
- Median rent: $2,614 (8% rent)
- Top public schools: Oakton High School (grade A+), Waxpool Elementary School (grade A), Chantilly High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+), Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+)
#8. Short Pump, Virginia
- Population: 28,400
- Median household income: $130,899
- Median home value: $514,900 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,750 (41% rent)
- Top public schools: Deep Run High School (grade A+), Mills E. Godwin High School (grade A), Twin Hickory Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Steward School (grade A+), St. Christopher's School (grade A+), Collegiate School (grade A+)
#7. Brambleton, Virginia
- Population: 22,796
- Median household income: $234,750
- Median home value: $800,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,972 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Independence High School (grade A+), John Champe High School (grade A+), Lightridge High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+), Fairfax Christian School (grade A+)
#6. South Riding, Virginia
- Population: 33,358
- Median household income: $183,056
- Median home value: $652,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $2,597 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Independence High School (grade A+), John Champe High School (grade A+), Lightridge High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+), Fairfax Christian School (grade A+)
#5. Loudoun Valley Estates, Virginia
- Population: 10,514
- Median household income: $219,388
- Median home value: $718,600 (92% own)
- Median rent: $3,058 (8% rent)
- Top public schools: Independence High School (grade A+), Rock Ridge High School (grade A+), Lightridge High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+), Fairfax Christian School (grade A+)
#4. Broadlands, Virginia
- Population: 14,582
- Median household income: $231,854
- Median home value: $816,600 (86% own)
- Median rent: $2,561 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Independence High School (grade A+), Lightridge High School (grade A+), Briar Woods High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Veritas Collegiate Academy (grade A+), Pinnacle Academy (grade A+), Fairfax Christian School (grade A+)
#3. Arlington, Virginia
- Population: 235,845
- Median household income: $137,387
- Median home value: $833,300 (42% own)
- Median rent: $2,227 (58% rent)
- Top public schools: Washington Liberty High School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+), Yorktown High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)
#2. Stone Ridge, Virginia
- Population: 16,049
- Median household income: $185,586
- Median home value: $650,600 (87% own)
- Median rent: $2,673 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Independence High School (grade A+), John Champe High School (grade A+), Lightridge High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Pinnacle Academy (grade A+), Fairfax Christian School (grade A+), St. Paul VI Catholic High School (grade A+)
#1. Innsbrook, Virginia
- Population: 8,699
- Median household income: $113,814
- Median home value: $438,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,512 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Glen Allen High School (grade A), Rivers Edge Elementary School (grade A minus), Colonial Trail Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: The Steward School (grade A+), St. Christopher's School (grade A+), Collegiate School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.