Moving to Northern Virginia: Should You Live in Fairfax County or Loudoun County?
By Abraham Walker | Ask A Walker
If you’re planning on moving to Northern Virginia, there’s a good chance you’re comparing two of the most popular counties in the region — Fairfax County and Loudoun County.
As a local real estate expert, I’ve worked with countless families trying to make this same decision. It’s not always an easy one, but this guide will help break down the differences so you can feel confident about where to call home.
💬 Not sure which area is right for you? Schedule your perfect home consultation today and let’s talk through your options.
🌆 Density & Living Environment: Bustling vs. Sprawling
Fairfax and Loudoun feel very different once you’re there.
- Fairfax County: 406 sq mi | ~1.1 million people
- Loudoun County: 600 sq mi | ~400,000 people
Fairfax offers a mix of urban, suburban, and even some rural settings. You’ll find bustling areas like Tysons and Reston, as well as quieter communities like Burke and Clifton with larger lots and slower paces of life.
Loudoun feels more spread out, especially west of Leesburg. Western Loudoun offers rolling farmland, estate homes, and even wineries. Eastern Loudoun is where you’ll find dense suburban developments like Ashburn and Brambleton.
🏡 Want to compare neighborhoods in person? Book a home tour with our team.
📍 Location & Commute Times: Closer Isn’t Always Better, But It Usually Helps
Fairfax and Loudoun counties are neighbors, but your proximity to D.C. will significantly impact your commute, access to public transportation, and even your lifestyle.
Fairfax County is located immediately west of Washington, D.C. Depending on where you live — McLean, Alexandria, Reston, Springfield — you could be anywhere from 7 to 30 miles away from downtown. This makes it an ideal choice for anyone working in the city or needing frequent access to it.
Popular communities in Fairfax:
- McLean: Known for luxury homes and a short commute to D.C.
- Reston: A vibrant, walkable planned community with shops, dining, and high-rises.
- Springfield: Family-friendly suburban neighborhoods.
- Alexandria: A historic city blending old charm with modern convenience.
Loudoun County, just west of Fairfax, is further from D.C., with commutes ranging from 26 to 60 miles. It’s still a great choice if you’re working in places like Tysons, Reston, or the Dulles Tech Corridor, especially with the Silver Line Metro extension.
Popular Loudoun communities:
- Ashburn: One of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the U.S.
- Brambleton: A master-planned community designed for families.
- Leesburg: A charming historic town with modern amenities.
- South Riding: A suburban favorite with great access to parks and schools.
🚗 TIP: The closer you are to D.C., the more expensive homes tend to be, but the less time you’ll spend in traffic.
🎓 Schools: High Ratings, Subtle Differences
According to Niche.com:
- Loudoun County Public Schools: #4 in Virginia
- Fairfax County Public Schools: #6 in Virginia
Both districts are rated “A” overall and have strong reputations. However:
- Fairfax has 11 high schools ranked among U.S. News’ Top 20 in Virginia
- Loudoun has 2 high schools on that list
As a mom with two sons who’ve attended Fairfax schools from elementary through high school, I’ve had a fantastic experience. That said, every area has a mix of highly-rated and middle-of-the-pack schools.
🧠 Use school boundary tools as much as home search tools — especially if schools are a top priority.
💵 Income, Home Prices & Property Taxes
Income Levels
- Loudoun County: $178,707 median household income (highest in the U.S.)
- Fairfax County: $150,113 median household income (3rd highest nationally)
Housing Prices
- Median Sales Price: Loudoun – $740K | Fairfax – $728K
- Average Sales Price: Loudoun – $838K | Fairfax – $881K
- Average Detached Homes: Loudoun – $1.1M | Fairfax – $1.19M
📊 It’s surprising how little difference there is in pricing these days — especially considering Loudoun used to be significantly more affordable.
Property Taxes
- Fairfax: ~$7,900/year on a $700K home
- Loudoun: ~$6,050/year on a $700K home
💡 That 30% tax difference can really add up over time.
🏠 Age of Homes: New Builds vs. Established Charm
One of the most overlooked factors when choosing where to live is the age of the homes — and it plays a big role in your lifestyle.
Fairfax County is one of the older and more established areas in Northern Virginia. Only about 12.5% of its homes were built after 2000. That means many of the homes were built in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s — especially in well-developed areas like McLean, Falls Church, and Springfield.
These older homes often come with:
- Brick facades and traditional architecture
- Larger, mature trees and well-developed landscaping
- A strong sense of community that’s grown over decades
If you like the idea of living in a neighborhood with history and character, places like Vienna, Annandale, and Burke offer timeless homes with personality. These areas often feel lived-in in the best way — with a true sense of place.
Loudoun County, in contrast, is significantly newer. Nearly 49% of its homes were built after 2000, and large portions of Eastern Loudoun were developed in the last two decades.
What you’ll find in Loudoun:
- Open-concept floorplans and energy-efficient designs
- Modern kitchens and updated bathrooms
- Master-planned communities with walking trails, pools, and clubhouses
Even in Western Loudoun, which is more rural, you’ll still find new construction on large lots — perfect for someone looking for privacy or space for a custom home.
If you’re considering new construction, Loudoun is where you’ll find the most options. Fairfax is mostly built out, with limited opportunities for new single-family home developments. Most new builds in Fairfax tend to be townhomes, condos, or tear-downs replaced with custom homes on existing lots.
🛠️ Want help comparing new vs. resale homes? Let’s talk about your ideal lifestyle.
🚆 Transportation & Traffic: Metro Access, Highways & Congestion
Metro Access
- Fairfax: 14 Metro stops across Blue, Yellow, Orange, and Silver lines
- Loudoun: 3 Silver Line stops (Ashburn, Loudoun Gateway, Dulles Airport)
Highways
- Fairfax: I-66, I-95, I-495, Route 50, GW Parkway
- Loudoun: Route 7 and Route 28
Traffic
Fairfax: Dense traffic, long rush hours, congestion even on weekends
Loudoun: Lighter traffic overall, but increasing with growth
🚙 If you’re teleworking part of the week, Loudoun might work — but don’t buy assuming remote work will last forever.
🛍️ Lifestyle, Dining & Entertainment
Fairfax County:
- Tysons Corner Center and Galleria for high-end shopping
- Great Falls Park for hiking and scenic views
- Wolf Trap for outdoor concerts and live performances
Loudoun County:
- Wineries and breweries in Western Loudoun
- Historic Leesburg for boutique shopping and events
- Downtown Ashburn and Brambleton for suburban nightlife
🍷 Looking for weekend relaxation and space? Loudoun may be the vibe you’re after.
🧭 Final Thoughts: Which County Is Right for You?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Here’s a quick summary:
- Prefer quick access to D.C. and Metro? Fairfax County
- Want newer homes and more land? Loudoun County
- Work in Tysons or Reston? Both are viable
🗓️ Still deciding? Book your complimentary relocation consultation and we’ll walk you through it step by step.
💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
- Drop your questions in the comments
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Where to Live in Northern Virginia
- Check out our video breakdown on Fairfax vs. Loudoun
- Share this post with a friend who’s thinking about moving
Thanks for reading — we’ll see you in your dream neighborhood soon!
