What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Fairfax, VA, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Fairfax is a city in Fairfax city, Virginia, with an estimated population of 26,340. It anchors the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area. The population has grown 2.2% per year on average between 2020 and 2024 — among the faster-growing communities in the state. The median home value in Fairfax is $799,544 as of 2026-04, down 0.9% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +3.8% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. Rents in Fairfax average $2,373 per month, down 2.1% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 61 of 100 (Stable). Conditions are neither hot nor cold, so the local fit matters more than market timing.
Sideways market (-0.9% YoY). No urgency to time the macro trend — focus on the home and neighborhood.
Reasons people move here
- People are voting with their feet: population growing 2.2% per year since 2020 — that's faster than ~80% of US cities.
- Held the highs: currently -0.9% from the 5-year peak — this market refused to give back gains.
Things to know first
- Expensive AND not growing: median home $799,544 with only -0.9% YoY. You're paying premium pricing for a flat trend.
- Local nuance: city-level data smooths over neighborhood differences. School zones, HOA rules, and street-level character matter — visit before deciding.
More about Fairfax
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.