Anyone who’s thought about buying or selling a house in Northern Virginia knows the real estate market in our region is strong. But which areas are the most in demand? Check out our ranking of the Top 20 Hottest Zip Codes in Northern Virginia.
By Michele Kettner, Erica Moody, Maggie Roth, and Debbie Williams
Methodology
This ranking uses data from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025, as reported by Bright MLS. To determine the Top 20, we considered zip codes that had a minimum of 120 sales over the given time frame. The list was weighted based on the percentage change between the median list price and median close price, as well as the median days on the market over the 12-month period.
Learn about these coveted areas below the ranking. In our descriptions, we’ve grouped together some adjacent zip codes that share similar attractions and amenities.
*Population, education, median household income, and total number of households were not included as factors in the ranking.
1. 22015 Burke
2025 Median List Price: $674,975
2025 Median Close Price: $696,500
2025 Median Days on Market: 6
2025 Sales: 487
Population*: 44,730
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 33.5%
Median Household Income*: 166,016
Total Households*: 14,794
2. 22301 Alexandria
2025 Median List Price: $975,000
2025 Median Close Price: $1,010,550
2025 Median Days on Market: 8
2025 Sales: 231
Population*: 13,830
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 35.5%
Median Household Income*: $188,211
Total Households*: 6,091
3. 22033 Fairfax
2025 Median List Price: $652,500
2025 Median Close Price: $668,818
2025 Median Days on Market: 7
2025 Sales: 501
Population*: 38,676
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 35.3%
Median Household Income*: $134,532
Total Households*: 15,649
4. 20136 Bristow
2025 Median List Price: $700,000
2025 Median Close Price: $715,000
2025 Median Days on Market: 7
2025 Sales: 377
Population*: 31,204
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 35.2%
Median Household Income*: $178,098
Total Households*: 9,099
5. 22182 Vienna
2025 Median List Price: $1,325,000
2025 Median Close Price: $1,350,000
2025 Median Days on Market: 7
2025 Sales: 301
Population*: 27,592
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 36.3%
Median Household Income*: $200,038
Total Households*: 9,950
6. 22205 Arlington
2025 Median List Price: $1,282,000
2025 Median Close Price: $1,299,500
2025 Median Days on Market: 7
2025 Sales: 220
Population*: 17,566
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 36.1%
Median Household Income*: $192,951
Total Households*: 6,713
7. 20120 Centreville
2025 Median List Price: $650,000
2025 Median Close Price: $665,000
2025 Median Days on Market: 8
2025 Sales: 445
Population*: 42,917
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 31.6%
Median Household Income*: $149,844
Total Households*: 14,447
8. 22305 Alexandria
2025 Median List Price: $779,500
2025 Median Close Price: $788,750
2025 Median Days on Market: 7
2025 Sales: 146
Population*: 17,721
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 28.5%
Median Household Income*: $109,124
Total Households*: 7,669
9. 22152 West Springfield
2025 Median List Price: $675,000
2025 Median Close Price: $690,000
2025 Median Days on Market: 8
2025 Sales: 393
Population*: 29,066
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 33.7%
Median Household Income*: $159,557
Total Households*: 9,534
10. 22039 Fairfax Station
2025 Median List Price: $1,196,500
2025 Median Close Price: $1,207,500
2025 Median Days on Market: 7
2025 Sales: 212
Population*: 19,034
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 33.3%
Median Household Income*: $250,000+
Total Households*: 5,856
11. 22181 Vienna
2025 Median List Price: $1,053,000
2025 Median Close Price: $1,073,000
2025 Median Days on Market: 8
2025 Sales: 219
Population*: 15,529
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 35.3%
Median Household Income*: $212,156
Total Households*: 5,435
12. 20165 Sterling
2025 Median List Price: $696,200
2025 Median Close Price: $699,000
2025 Median Days on Market: 7
2025 Sales: 397
Population*: 34,210
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 39.7%
Median Household Income*: $185,594
Total Households*: 11,903
13. 22032 Fairfax
2025 Median List Price: $849,000
2025 Median Close Price: $850,000
2025 Median Days on Market: 8
2025 Sales: 366
Population*: 29,172
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 32.6%
Median Household Income*: $175,913
Total Households*: 9,848
14. 22315 Alexandria
2025 Median List Price: $680,000
2025 Median Close Price: $680,000
2025 Median Days on Market: 8
2025 Sales: 396
Population*: 28,725
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 33.1%
Median Household Income*: $156,230
Total Households*: 11,150
15. 20155 Gainesville
2025 Median List Price: $724,000
2025 Median Close Price: $720,000
Median Days on Market: 7.5
2025 Sales: 552
Population*: 37,516
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 33.2%
Median Household Income*: $154,531
Total Households*: 12,534
16. 20191 Reston
2025 Median List Price: $619,995
2025 Median Close Price: $625,000
2025 Median Days on Market: 9
2025 Sales: 509
Population*: 30,077
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 34.7%
Median Household Income*: $141,019
Total Households*: 12,007
17. 20176 Leesburg
2025 Median List Price: $889,000
2025 Median Close Price: $893,500
2025 Median Days on Market: 9
2025 Sales: 864
Population*: 50,002
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 36%
Median Household Income*: $166,870
Total Households*: 16,347
18. 20124 Clifton
2025 Median List Price: $999,000
2025 Median Close Price: $992,655
2025 Median Days on Market: 8
2025 Sales: 172
Population*: 14,557
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 40.2%
Median Household Income*: $218,942
Total Households*: 4,856
19. 22046 Falls Church
2025 Median List Price: $980,450
2025 Median Close Price: $984,500
2025 Median Days on Market: 9
2025 Sales: 260
Population*: 18,117
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 28.8%
Median Household Income*: $175,446
Total Households*: 7,108
20. 22192 Woodbridge
2025 Median List Price: $507,450
2025 Median Close Price: $515,000
2025 Median Days on Market: 10
2025 Sales: 740
Population*: 59,034
Education (Percentage of population 25 and older with Bachelor’s degree)*: 28.3%
Median Household Income*: $122,005
Total Households*: 20,490
22015, 22039, 22152, & 22032
Burke, Fairfax Station, West Springfield, & Kings Park West areas
For homeowners looking to get a little more space without sacrificing proximity to restaurants, shopping, and recreational opportunities, this portion of Fairfax County is in high demand. Entertainment isn’t steps away like it might be in Arlington or Alexandria, but these towns have plenty of coveted amenities — think Burke Lake Park and Lake Accotink, plus easy access to Fairfax Corner and Old Town Fairfax.
Burke, for example, has “no downtown area or ‘nightlife,’ but retail and family-owned restaurants are dotted throughout,” says Long & Foster’s Shelley Draheim.
Neighborhoods vary from one to the next, but overall, these zip codes have an affluent, suburban feel with many single-family homes on spacious lots. These established neighborhoods often have homeowners “who have lived in their home for decades, creating close-knit communities,” Draheim says.
“There’s still quite a sense of community because there’s just not as much turnover in these communities, and that lack of turnover is what keeps the prices continuing to go up. And even though it’s a little more modest, over the past year or so, of an increase, they do hold their value,” Draheim says.
Homes here tend to sell quickly — particularly ones in pristine condition — so Draheim advises buyers to be open to properties that may need some upgrading. “Consider the pros of the location, community amenities, and commute options if a home doesn’t sparkle as much as hoped for. You can always paint, but the location can’t be changed,” she says.
- Commuters have easy access to I-495 and the Burke VRE for public transit.
- Lake Braddock Secondary, Robinson Secondary, and West Springfield are among our Top 25 High Schools.
- Residents in these neighborhoods are just a short drive from shopping centers and downtown areas like Springfield Town Center, Fairfax Corner, and Old Town Fairfax.
By Maggie Roth
22301 & 22305
Del Ray & Potomac Yard areas
These neighboring Alexandria enclaves both appeal to buyers seeking city access, but they offer distinctly different experiences.
Del Ray stands out for its friendly neighborhood character. With 1940s- and ’50s-era bungalows and duplexes, Blake Davenport of The Davenport Group says it has a “neighborhood charm,” where residents walk their dogs along Mount Vernon Avenue and regularly run into neighbors at dinner or the farmers market. Realtor Coral Gundlach with RLAH @properties describes it as “a really neat village … brimming with art and happiness,” filled with independent shops, yoga studios, murals, and coffee shops. Buyers here, she notes, are often “buying a community more than an actual structure,” embracing walkability and personality, even if that means smaller rooms or limited storage.
In Potomac Yard, modern condos and townhomes have open kitchens, higher ceilings, and low-maintenance living. Potomac Yard Park and Potomac Yard Shopping Center provide retail conveniences and entertainment. The Birchmere, an iconic music venue established in 1966, is located in 22305. Gundlach describes Potomac Yard as practical and commuter-friendly, ideal for buyers who value proximity to the Metro and quick access to DC. This neighborhood is rapidly growing, with the Potomac Yard Metro station opening in 2023 and the recent opening of the $1 billion Virginia Tech Alexandria campus.
- The 65-acre Virginia Tech Alexandria Campus in Potomac Yard is focused on computer science and engineering.
- Del Ray Artisans is a community-focused organization with a free gallery that supports local artists.
- Mount Vernon Avenue is the colorful, walkable “Main Street” of Del Ray.
By Erica Moody
22315
Kingstowne area
Life in this part of Fairfax County appeals to someone “who is looking, typically, for their first home, who wants more space at a cheaper price,” says The Davenport Group founder and Realtor Blake Davenport.
Kingstowne sits just southwest of the city of Alexandria and 12 miles from Washington, DC. It’s the second-largest planned community in Northern Virginia, featuring more than 5,000 homes, from townhomes and condos to detached single-family homes. Davenport says home sales in this zip code exploded after COVID, when people who were living in DC or Arlington wanted proximity to the city but also more living space.
The commute to DC via I-495 or I-395 typically runs about 40 minutes, and most homes are a short drive from the Franconia-Springfield Metro. Fairfax Connector buses also run from Kingstowne to the station.
The shopping and dining hub of Kingstowne Towne Center anchors the community, with a Regal Cinemas, an Orangetheory Fitness studio, and many recognizable chain retailers and restaurants. Kingstowne Park is a neighborhood gathering spot, offering paved walking paths, open grassy areas, and a family-friendly playground with picnic tables.
- The one-stop center of this 1,300-acre planned community, Kingstowne Towne Center features a movie theater, department stores, hair and nail salons, a martial arts studio, and more.
By Erica Moody
22033, 20120, & 20124
Greenbriar/Fair Lakes, Centreville, & Clifton areas
These coveted zip codes appeal to a mix of buyers: Greenbriar/Fair Lakes and Centreville offer detached single-family homes plus a variety of townhouse and condo developments, and Clifton features both equestrian estates and a small, charming, historic downtown.
The beauty of Greenbriar/Fair Lakes is that it’s “convenience central,” says Stephanie Brock, associate broker with Samson Properties. It offers “lots of shops and restaurants close by” at nearby Fairfax Corner. And it’s “perfect for commuters — the Fairfax County Parkway, 29, 66 are all right there,” she notes.
Centreville is also conveniently located to retail and restaurants “near Centre Ridge, Stone Road, and Union Mill, depending on what side of town you’re on,” Brock says. It’s also “extremely commuter friendly … and Dulles airport is just a hop away.”
A Centreville resident herself, Brock says, “One of my favorite things is the view of the [Bull Run] mountains. Yes, I can see those beauties on my way home and even when I’m running errands next to my house at sunset.”
Officially established in 1902, the town of Clifton is “rich in history, so much has been preserved,” Brock says. It’s an “adorable town with a great community feel. Outside of town towards Fairfax Station, you can find larger estates and equestrian properties, and closer to Centreville offers a more suburban feel.”
- The area hosts two wineries: Paradise Springs in Clifton and The Winery at Bull Run in Centreville.
- Notable restaurants include Trattoria Villagio and Trummer’s in Clifton and Ciao Osteria in Centreville.
By Debbie Williams
22181, 22182, & 20191
Vienna & South Reston areas
It’s easy to see why this swath of Vienna and Reston is red-hot with homebuyers. The area is surrounded by a variety of parks and recreational spaces, plus it offers top-tier schools, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options.
The portion of Vienna closer to the Tysons area features “a mix of established residential neighborhoods with great access to Tysons’ shopping, dining, and major employment hubs and easy access to major commuting roads,” says Realtor Marnie Schaar, founding member of Compass Reston.
South Reston is part of the Reston Association, Schaar notes, with access to community pools, tennis courts, and lakes, like Lake Thoreau and Lake Audubon. She says the Reston Town Center and up-and-coming Reston Station offer a wealth of shopping and dining options. Plus, the area is home to plenty of mature trees, walking trails, and the nearby W&OD trail.
Schaar points out downtown Vienna’s easy walkability to parks, schools, restaurants, and shopping. “There’s lots of festivals and things downtown. There’s a lot of charming homes, renovated homes, also new construction closer to Maple Avenue,” she says. She notes that this area is not known for uniform housing, “because you’ll find an older ranch or rambler, and then next to it might be a $3 million new build.”
- Notable entertainment attractions include Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Capital One Hall, and Capital One Center, which features a brewpub, mini golf, dining, and a Wegmans.
- Top-ranked public high schools in Vienna include Madison and Oakton.
- Nearby dining options include several Northern Virginia Magazine Best Restaurants, such as Nostos, Modan, Ingle Korean Steakhouse, Clarity, Joon, and Evelyn Rose.
By Debbie Williams
22192
Lake Ridge area
This Woodbridge neighborhood has a quiet, suburban feel that comes with being farther away from the Beltway — but you don’t have to sacrifice convenience.
“The location feels miles away from busy NoVA, yet is convenient to great shopping and dining,” says Shelley Draheim of Long & Foster. The area has a strong “neighborhood feel,” Draheim says, with many homes that were built in the 1970s to 1990s and plentiful access to pools, playgrounds, community centers, and recreation facilities.
If you’re commuting to DC, you have options for getting around, including close proximity to I-95 and the availability of Woodbridge VRE. “It’s going to be a little bit longer commute, but that’s the give and take of that area, because the housing is less expensive,” Draheim says.
Thinking of moving here? Draheim suggests being prepared with lender pre-approval because “there can be more competition due to the price point and amenities.” And remember to think about the rules and fees associated with the relevant HOA, which are common in suburban areas like this.
- Shopping options include smaller, boutique businesses in historic Occoquan and larger retailers at Potomac Mills Mall.
By Maggie Roth
22205 & 22046
Westover and Falls Church areas
Buyers eyeing family-centric Westover neighborhood in North Arlington “really need to be prepared” since demand is high, says The Davenport Group founder Blake Davenport. Homes range from new construction to older homes with character. “A lot of these houses were built in the ’30s and ’40s and have been expanded and modified over the years, but they definitely have the charm and character you’d expect from older homes,” says real estate agent Coral Gundlach of RLAH @properties.
Westover is about a mile from the East Falls Church Metro station, making it an easy commute to DC as well as Tysons and Reston, Gundlach says. “Everything’s at your fingertips here,” Davenport says, pointing to walkability, parks, schools, and easy city access.
Nearby Falls Church is often called “The Little City” because it is the smallest independent municipality in Virginia. It offers a similarly appealing mix of convenience and community. The area boasts a buzzing farmers market, highly rated schools, and a vibrant downtown. “There’s a lot of recent development that’s really made it exciting,” Davenport says. “This area feels like moving to a small town.”
The main drag is lined with independent shops and dining options. The State Theatre, an established live music venue, adds to the zip code’s cultural appeal. Housing styles range from historic homes to sleek new construction, but inventory is limited. When a home hits the market, “it sells very quickly because of limited supply,” Davenport says.
- Meridian High School in Falls Church ranks No. 3 on our Top 25 High Schools list.
- The Italian Store in Westover is a Best of NoVA winner.
- Founders Row, a newer mixed-use development in Falls Church, features shopping and dining, including Seoul Prime Korean Steakhouse, Ellie Bird, and NUE | Elegantly Vietnamese, all on our 50 Best Restaurants list.
By Erica Moody
20136 & 20155
Bristow & Gainesville areas
While these areas are a little farther afield from DC than others on the list, the “Bristow and Gainesville areas continue to grow from a real estate aspect,” says Lisa Jalufka, a broker with Century 21 New Millennium. And that growth has influenced the bottom line. “Bristow and Gainesville do still provide a more affordable option to other areas of NoVA, but the gap is decreasing,” Jalufka says.
These zips codes are “considered to be family-centric, drawing families of all sizes … [and] single buyers as well,” she says. “There are quality schools serving both areas, which is attractive for buyers for their current needs and for future resale potential.”
Jalufka says that “retail options have continued to grow over the past decade, bringing shopping, dining, and recreation close by without sacrificing the tranquility that most buyers seek when moving to the areas.” For example, she points out the Virginia Gateway Shopping Center, which hosts a variety of boutique and national shops, banks, medical offices, fitness centers, and restaurants.
Although commutes into Tysons or DC are longer, Jalufka notes that “the areas provide quick access to I-66, US-29, and US-28, as well as close access to Amtrak and VRE for commuters.
- Nearby entertainment attractions include Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow and NOVA Live in Manassas.
- Top-rated high schools include Gainesville High School and Battlefield High School in Haymarket.
- The area features multiple golf courses and community parks, including Conway Robinson State Forest and Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
By Debbie Williams
20165
Sterling area
This zip code — comprised of the Cascades, Countryside, Lowes Island, and Potomac Falls neighborhoods — offers options for a range of buyers.
Properties include detached single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and a 55-plus community. HOA and non-HOA options range from just under $300,000 to more than $2 million.
The area also offers a strong mix of amenities and recreation. “There’s so much at your fingertips,” says Kim Spear of The Spear Realty Group. “The foodie scene is getting more robust. There are local coffee shops for people to hang out. There’s shopping everywhere. And then, for people who like the outdoors, there are so many places to, what I call, walk, run, and roll.”
Both Spear and Holly Weatherwax of Momentum Realty emphasize having your finances in order when looking to buy in Sterling. Weatherwax advises buyers to “be well prepared with your financing, understand what all the contingencies mean, and be ready to move if something comes up because there is a lack of inventory in the zip code.”
“People don’t leave,” says Spear. “They start there in a condo or a smaller home, and they just grow into that area because they love living there so much.”
- Cascades Marketplace houses Local Provisions and CHĪKO, which are on our Best Restaurants list, and Loudoun County’s first Taco Bamba.
By Michele Kettner
20176
Leesburg area
This area has the best of both worlds. It includes high-end neighborhoods along the Potomac like Lansdowne and River Creek, as well as rural areas as you drive north toward Lucketts.
“It’s almost like a bridge or a handshake between those two things,” says Dustin Fox of Samson Properties. He says buyers who are moving to the area are “tired of the chain restaurants or looking at a data center, and they love that Leesburg has an actual historic downtown area with mom-and-pop-owned restaurants.”
In downtown Leesburg, walkability is key for prospective buyers, says Kim Spear of The Spear Realty Group. “We’ve had more buyers come in saying, ‘We want to live in downtown Leesburg. We want to live where we can walk everywhere,’” which includes access to restaurants, shopping, and town activities.
As you head out of the center of Leesburg and up Route 15, compact housing developments transition into parks and farmland. This is where you’ll find Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, Morven Park, and Temple Hall Farm.
Buyers do need to consider their commutes when looking to buy here. “If you’re looking at 20176 north, you have all this Route 15 traffic,” Fox says. “You have to make sure you’re looking at it at the right time.” Route 15 and Route 7 are the area’s main highways, with both the Dulles Greenway and Metro’s Silver Line in close proximity.
- Leesburg’s walkable downtown includes a variety of eateries and independent shops.
- Top-ranked Riverside High School is near Lansdowne.
- Nearby shopping destinations include Leesburg Premium Outlets and Leesburg’s Historic District.
- Dining destinations just a short drive away include Tuscarora Mill, The Huntōn, and Shutters on King.
By Michele Kettner
Feature image of Arlington, stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our March 2026 issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
