Virginia moving guide

Where should I move in Virginia?

We ranked 65 Virginia cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 15.

1. 1

   Brambleton

   Home $833,000 · Rent $2,592 · Income $250,001 · Unemployment 2.2%
   97/100
2. 2

   South Riding

   Home $689,400 · Rent $2,853 · Income $190,701 · Unemployment 3.4%
   78/100
3. 3

   Merrifield

   Home $637,600 · Rent $2,308 · Income $136,173 · Unemployment 2.2%
   75/100
4. 4

   Buckhall

   Home $598,700 · Rent $2,591 · Income $169,591 · Unemployment 3.5%
   73/100
5. 5

   Chantilly

   Home $633,900 · Rent $2,260 · Income $143,786 · Unemployment 2.6%
   71/100
6. 6

   Chester

   Home $290,600 · Rent $1,463 · Income $88,455 · Unemployment 3.4%
   71/100
7. 7

   McNair

   Home $566,900 · Rent $2,253 · Income $123,327 · Unemployment 2.9%
   70/100
8. 8

   Cave Spring

   Home $296,700 · Rent $1,224 · Income $85,314 · Unemployment 2.9%
   68/100
9. 9

   Mechanicsville

   Home $323,600 · Rent $1,645 · Income $97,569 · Unemployment 1.9%
   68/100
10. 10

    Rose Hill CDP (Fairfax County)

    Home $657,900 · Rent $2,203 · Income $160,426 · Unemployment 2.8%
    67/100
11. 11

    Leesburg

    Home $617,700 · Rent $1,980 · Income $140,668 · Unemployment 2.9%
    65/100
12. 12

    Oakton

    Home $776,700 · Rent $2,333 · Income $163,662 · Unemployment 2.4%
    64/100
13. 13

    Reston

    Home $616,000 · Rent $2,170 · Income $139,515 · Unemployment 4.5%
    64/100
14. 14

    Short Pump

    Home $543,000 · Rent $1,804 · Income $132,194 · Unemployment 1.7%
    64/100
15. 15

    Ashburn

    Home $659,000 · Rent $2,397 · Income $152,094 · Unemployment 3.3%
    62/100

Statewide, Virginia recorded 1,604 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #33 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in Virginia to live

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023); FBI Crime Data Explorer.