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Vienna, Virginia sits in Fairfax County, about 15 miles west of Washington, DC. It has a small-town downtown on Church Street, quiet residential streets, easy access to Tysons, and one of the most competitive housing markets in Northern Virginia. My office is on Boone Blvd in Vienna, so I work these streets every week. This guide covers what buyers should know before they start: prices, where to look, schools, commute, taxes, local life and how to put in an offer that wins.
What Homes Cost in Vienna Right Now
According to Zillow’s Vienna market data, the typical home value is about $1.18 million, up roughly 1% over the past year. The median sale price was about $1.28 million as of June 2026, and the median home went pending in about 8 days as of July 2026.
Those figures blend every property type, so what you pay depends on what you buy. Detached houses make up most of the sales that pull the median up. Condos and townhomes in and around Vienna cost considerably less and are the usual entry point for first-time buyers. A home with a good lot, a strong school assignment and an easy commute is rarely on the market long.
What a Higher Price Means for Your Payment
At Vienna prices, many buyers need a jumbo loan, which has its own rules on down payment and credit. Rates matter a lot at this level too: even a quarter point changes your monthly payment by hundreds of dollars. Run your own numbers with our mortgage calculator, and read my take on 7% mortgage rates in Northern Virginia.
Vienna’s ZIP Codes and Neighborhoods
- 22180: the Town of Vienna and central Vienna, closest to Church Street shops, restaurants and the W&OD Trail.
- 22181: the western and southwestern side, toward Oakton and Fairfax.
- 22182: the northern side near Tysons and Wolf Trap, where my office is.
Within those ZIP codes, a few areas come up again and again in my conversations with buyers:
- The Town of Vienna. Walkable to Church Street, with mature trees and a mix of older and rebuilt homes. It is the most sought-after part of Vienna.
- Vienna Woods and Vienna Forest. Established neighborhoods of single-family homes, popular with families and close to the town center.
- Dunn Loring Woods. On the eastern side, walkable to the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station for some streets.
- Wolf Trap area. Larger lots and a more wooded feel, near Wolf Trap National Park and Tysons.
One thing surprises many buyers: “Vienna” on a listing does not always mean the incorporated Town of Vienna. Many Vienna addresses are in unincorporated Fairfax County. Town residents pay a separate town real estate tax in addition to county taxes, and they get town services such as trash collection and the town’s parks programs. Always confirm the exact address and current tax rates before you make an offer.
Types of Homes You’ll Find
- Condos and townhomes: the lowest-priced way in, especially near the Metro and in the Tysons corridor.
- Older single-family homes: ranches and colonials from the 1950s to 1970s on larger lots. Many buyers renovate or rebuild.
- New construction and teardowns: larger modern homes, usually at the top of the price range.
Our guide to working with a buyer’s agent explains how representation works when you buy new construction or a renovation project.
Commute, Metro and Getting Around
The Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro station is on the Orange Line and has a large parking garage, with service into DC that typically takes under an hour. Dunn Loring-Merrifield is the closer station for some eastern Vienna streets. Drivers use I-66, Route 123, Maple Avenue, the Dulles Toll Road and I-495, and drive times swing widely with rush-hour traffic. Before you fall in love with a house, test the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
Schools
Vienna is served by Fairfax County Public Schools. Depending on the address, students may attend schools such as James Madison, Oakton or Marshall High School. Boundaries are drawn street by street and they can change, so check the address on the FCPS website before you make an offer, rather than relying on a listing.
Parks, Trails and Outdoor Life
- The W&OD Trail runs through town for walking, running and cycling.
- Wolf Trap National Park brings summer performances close to home.
- Nottoway Park and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens offer green space and gardens.
Local Events Worth Knowing About
One reason buyers love Vienna is that the town actually has a calendar. Here is what is coming up through the end of the year. Dates can change, so check each link before you go.
- Vienna Theatre Company: An Old-Fashioned Family Murder: starting October 16.
- Halloween on the Green: crafts, games, a reptile show and pumpkin decorating for kids, on October 17.
- Vienna Farmers Market: Saturday mornings at the Vienna Community Center, through the last Saturday in October.
- Vienna Halloween Parade: a free tradition that has run since 1946, on Maple Avenue, on October 28.
- Bowman House Pottery Show & Sale: student-made pottery, on November 7.
- Mayor & Chief @ Your Service: a community event with the mayor and police chief, on November 10.
- Church Street Holiday Stroll: the Monday after Thanksgiving, November 30.
The town’s full events calendar lists everything else, from theater to pottery shows. If you’re looking at homes near Church Street, ask me about event days. Parking and traffic change a lot on parade and festival weekends, and it is worth seeing the area when it is busy.
How to Compete in a Fast Market
- Get pre-approved first. At these prices, lenders look closely at jumbo loan limits. See our home buying process guide and common loan types.
- Be ready to move quickly. With homes going pending in about a week, decide your must-haves before you tour.
- Price your offer on recent sales, not the list price. Your agent should pull nearby sold homes and show you what similar homes actually closed for.
- Think about contingencies. An inspection or financing contingency protects you. Whether to shorten or waive any of them is a decision to make with your agent and lender, not on a whim.
- Work with an agent who knows the street. A local agent can tell you which blocks, lot types and school boundaries hold value.
Common Mistakes Vienna Buyers Make
- Assuming a “Vienna” listing is inside the town limits, and then being surprised by the tax bill.
- Trusting a listing’s school information instead of checking the boundary for that exact address.
- Skipping a rush-hour test drive of the commute.
- Falling for a renovated kitchen and skipping a thorough inspection of the roof, HVAC and drainage on older homes.
- Starting house hunting before talking to a lender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vienna, VA a good place to live?
Many buyers think so. It combines a walkable small-town center, Fairfax County schools, trails and parks, and quick access to Tysons and DC. The trade-off is price: it is one of the more expensive places to buy in Northern Virginia.
How much do I need to buy a home in Vienna?
It depends on the home type and your loan. With a typical home value above $1 million, most detached homes call for a jumbo loan or a large down payment, while condos and townhomes cost less. A lender can give you an exact figure based on your income and credit.
How fast do homes sell in Vienna?
Zillow’s data showed a median of about 8 days to pending in mid-2026, so well-priced homes move quickly. Pricing and condition matter more than the calendar.
Ready to Look at Homes in Vienna?
Browse my Vienna homes for sale page, see how we work on the buying page, or look at the wider Northern Virginia homes for sale guide. Thinking of selling instead? Get a free home value estimate.
Contact me today to start your Vienna search, or call my direct line at 202-710-3342 (office: 833-944-4611).
Mukaram Ghani
RE/MAX Galaxy, serving Northern Virginia
Market figures are from Zillow as of mid-2026, and event details are from the Town of Vienna and organizer websites; both change often, so confirm before you rely on them. This article is for general information only and isn’t financial, tax or legal advice.