The 6 Best D.C. Suburbs  - Livability.com (2024)

Live near the capital for less, thanks to these popular D.C. area suburbs.

By Cheryl Rodewig on August 28, 2024

With 17 Smithsonian museums, over 30 national parks, and, let’s not forget, our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., is a cultural powerhouse. Pretty much any experience you could want is close at hand, whether that’s live opera or washing your hands in chocolate before a Michelin-starred Colombian dinner.

Throw in a thriving job market, and it’s easy to see why so many people choose to live here. But all that demand does exactly what you’d think to the cost of living. D.C. is the ninth most expensive city in the U.S. — and not just for those who splurge on the swanky meal mentioned above. Housing costs are nearly 50% higher in the capital compared to the national average.

The solution for many is choosing to live in a nearby city. With good transit options and family-friendly neighborhoods, these suburbs give you the best of D.C. living without the hefty price tag.

1. Alexandria, VA

Distance from Washington D.C.: 8.3 miles
Alexandria is cosmopolitan to its core — urban, educated and diverse with a “majority-minority” population as of the 2020 census. Those are only a few of the reasons Niche ranks it as one of the top 10 cities in America for young professionals this year.

Right across the Potomac from D.C., Alexandria, VA, has five metro stations, including one that opened last year near the river and is just a few minutes from one of the city’s many bike trails. (Fun fact: Alexandria is the halfway point on the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail!) You’ll also find plenty of walkable neighborhoods like the waterfront Old Town, a historic district dating to 1749 and the hip, mural-decked Del Ray.

Why is Alexandria, VA, one of the best D.C. suburbs?

Business is booming in Alexandria, making it an excellent place for entrepreneurs to plant roots. The tech scene is rapidly growing. Slated to open next year, the new Virginia Tech Innovation Campus will focus on both in-demand degrees like computer science and STEM programs for K-12 students. The city also has an active small business community with hundreds of independent shops and a growing arts community. Get a glimpse of what locals are creating at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, home to the country’s most extensive collection of open working artists’ studios.

2. Gaithersburg, MD

Distance from Washington D.C.: 22.7 miles
If you know the three rules of real estate (location!), you’ll understand a big part of Gaithersburg’s appeal. It’s 40 minutes from D.C. in light traffic, just up I-270, and less than an hour from another major city: Baltimore. There’s also a commuter MARC train from Gaithersburg to Washington’s Union Station.

Founded in 1765, Gaithersburg, MD, has wonderfully preserved areas like the historic buildings surrounding Olde Towne Plaza and a bit of a small-town vibe despite being the ninth-biggest city in Maryland with a population of 71,000. Job opportunities abound, particularly those in biotech, thanks to companies like AstraZeneca and Novavax, headquartered here, and several nearby research centers. Gaithersburg is also home to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, one of the city’s top employers.

Why is Gaithersburg, MD, one of the best D.C. suburbs?

Gaithersburg residents know how to have fun! Take a paddleboat at the Rio Lakefront shopping complex, play mini golf at Bohrer Park, stop by one of the two farmers markets or see a play at the Arts Barn, a renovated stable with its own artist-in-residence program. Locals look to the elegant turn-of-the-century Kentlands Mansion for community events, hosting activities like yoga and the annual Oktoberfest. With endless opportunities when it comes to both work and play, it’s easy to see why Gaithersburg is one of the best places to live in Maryland.

3. Frederick, MD

Distance from Washington D.C.: 44.6 miles
It’s no surprise that Frederick, MD, has earned a spot on our list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for the past five years. You’ve got good schools, including Frederick Classical Charter School, which has a coveted 10/10 on GreatSchools, better home prices than many D.C. suburbs (the going price is currently a median of $452,000), and safe neighborhoods. SafeWise rated Frederick one of the five safest cities in Maryland this year, the only city on the list with a population of over 80,000.

Money also included Frederick in this year’s 50 best places to live, partly due to the strong local economy and a job market forecasted to grow 10% over the next four years. Fort Detrick, a significant U.S. Army base that’s a center for biomedical research, is located here, as is a 50-block historic district with more than 200 independently owned businesses, including boutiques, breweries, art galleries and more.

Why is Frederick, MD, one of the best D.C. suburbs?

Frederick may be a little farther out than most D.C. suburbs — about an hour northwest on I-270 in light traffic but double that in peak rush hour — but nature lovers will feel right at home. Carroll Creek Linear Park is downtown, boasting the world’s largest free public water garden, and the Appalachian Mountains are not too far away. If you’re into cycling, you’ll especially love the many trails and the downtown coffee counter, Gravel & Grind, that doubles as a bike shop.

Pro tip: Don’t miss Frederick’s most unusual claim to fame, the country’s only high-wheel cycling race. It’s held every summer with a food-truck-filled Lawn Party for spectators to join in the fun.

4. Fairfax, VA

Distance from Washington D.C.: 19.3 miles
Fairfax, VA, may be the smallest city on this list, with a population of just over 25,000 in its modest six square miles, but it delivers big when it comes to culture and community. The city is home to the state’s largest public research university, George Mason, where you can enjoy shows in their concert hall and games and more in their 10,000-seat arena. Fairfax also has its own orchestra, art league and a plethora of parks and sports fields. Then there are the annual events, ranging from February’s Chocolate Lovers Festival to a food and wine fest to the hugely popular Rock the Block, complete with a beer garden.

Why is Fairfax, VA, one of the best D.C. suburbs?

Undoubtedly, the biggest draw to Fairfax is the location of this D.C. suburb. It’s not just its proximity to the capital or the area’s largest airport (Washington Dulles International, offering 140 nonstop destinations) — though both are a convenient half hour away — it’s also being close to the jobs and amenities of Fairfax County.

There’s a metro stop in nearby Vienna and a gaggle of Fortune 500 companies, like Amazon, Capital One and Hilton, based around the city. Tech, professional services and scientific jobs make up a quarter of the jobs countywide, with a third of those held by workers under 35. That means you might be working much closer to home, a definite perk for this D.C. suburb.

5. College Park, MD

Distance from Washington D.C.: 9.2 miles
College Park, MD, originally known as College Station, got its name from the agricultural school founded here in 1856, which was later renamed the University of Maryland. The university is now the largest in the DMV (the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia metro area), and the city that grew up with it is very much a college town. You’ll find loads of coffee shops, bike trails, a diverse population and a tolerance for different views and lifestyles. It’s no coincidence that UMD was rated the most LGBTQ-friendly college in America.

Why is College Park, MD, one of the best D.C. suburbs?

All of this makes it attractive for young professionals. Business Insider named College Park the fourth best college town to start your career, and its location — just across the Maryland border but still inside the Capital Beltway — is primo. You’re less than 10 miles from D.C., with two metro stations on the Green Line and a stop planned on the future Purple Line. Plus, there’s the MARC train to both Baltimore and the capital.

In their free time, residents can visit the aviation museum at the oldest operating airfield in the world, go birding or fishing at Artemisia and enjoy UMD’s vibrant art scene, encompassing dance, theater and African-American visual arts. College Park’s free concert series every summer is especially great for families, featuring kid-friendly crafts, entertainers and a bounce house.

6. Fredericksburg, VA

Distance from Washington D.C.: 53.1 miles
Fredericksburg, VA, is easily one of the best D.C. suburbs. Although just over 50 miles from the capital — the farthest on this list — it’s a straight shot on I-95, and there’s a direct line to Union Station on the Virginia Railway Express, which kids can ride for free.

The distance from the capital comes with some benefits. You’re less than 90 minutes to Richmond, another big city with a major international airport, and the stunning 197,000-acre Shenandoah National Park. Also, homes are cheaper, with a median cost of $485,000, slightly under the listing price.

Why is Fredericksburg, VA, one of the best D.C. suburbs?

The 29,000 locals of Fredericksburg enjoy a small-city setting and a riverfront downtown spanning 40 blocks, lined with 18th- and 19th-century buildings and offering free trolley service on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer. The city is growing too, thanks in part to jobs in healthcare, including at Mary Washington Healthcare, the city’s largest employer. On the weekend, you might catch a baseball game with the Fredericksburg Nationals in their new stadium or attend an event hosted by the University of Mary Washington, such as the UMW Multicultural Fair in the spring or the mega block party downtown every August, kicking off the school year with giveaways, live music, and, best of all, free roller skating.