Best suburbs to live in Virginia

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April 3, 2024
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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 homebuying phase. 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 biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.

Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Virginia using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. 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.

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#30. Haymarket, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 478
- 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+)
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#29. West Springfield, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 447
- 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+)
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#28. Burke, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 436
- 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+)
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#27. Fair Oaks, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 379
- 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+)
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#26. South Run, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 378
- 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+)
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#25. McLean, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 371
- 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+)
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#24. Kingstowne, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 364
- 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+)
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#23. Fair Lakes, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 340
- 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+)
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#22. Reston, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 319
- 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+)
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#21. Merrifield, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 295
- 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+)
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#20. Belmont, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 259
- 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+)
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#19. Ashburn, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 243
- 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+)
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#18. Lansdowne, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 215
- 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+)
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#17. Dunn Loring, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 213
- 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+)
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#16. Mantua, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 201
- 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+)
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#15. Wakefield, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 190
- 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+)
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#14. Falls Church, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 166
- 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+)
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#13. Wyndham, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 151
- 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+)
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#12. Oakton, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 114
- 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+)
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#11. Vienna, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 107
- 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+)
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#10. Cascades, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 101
- 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+)
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#9. Franklin Farm, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 95
- 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+)
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#8. Short Pump, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 89
- 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+)
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#7. Brambleton, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 84
- 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+)
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#6. South Riding, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 81
- 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+)
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#5. Loudoun Valley Estates, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 71
- 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+)
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#4. Broadlands, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 64
- 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+)
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#3. Arlington, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 48
- 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+)
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#2. Stone Ridge, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 14
- 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+)
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#1. Innsbrook, Virginia

- Overall Rank: 13
- 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.

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