Is Herndon Safe, Pros and cons of living in Herndon
Herndon, Virginia, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. This community is known for its diverse population, strong educational system, and a growing job market, making it an attractive place for families and professionals alike. The town provides a variety of housing options and a generally pleasant climate throughout the year.
The cost of living in Herndon is higher than both the national and state averages, influenced significantly by housing expenses. However, the median income provides a substantial counterbalance for many residents. The town’s proximity to major employment centers and its own developing economic landscape contribute to its desirability as a place to live and work.
Is it Safe to Live in Herndon?
Herndon’s overall crime rate is slightly lower than the national average, indicating a generally safe environment for its residents (as reported by AreaVibes). While the town has a B- safety grade, it ranks in the 60th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 60% of U.S. cities (as reported by AreaVibes). The cost of crime per resident in Herndon is also lower than the national and state averages (as reported by AreaVibes).
Violent crime rates in Herndon are lower than the national average, with specific statistics showing fewer incidents per 100,000 residents compared to national figures (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crime rates, however, are slightly higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Residents generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest, while the east neighborhoods have a higher chance of experiencing crime (as reported by AreaVibes).
Housing Market and Rental Costs
Home Prices
The Herndon housing market is described as very competitive, with a median listing home price of $684,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). The average home value in Herndon is $740,680, showing a slight decrease of 1.2% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Homes in Herndon receive an average of two offers and sell relatively quickly, though the average days on the market has increased compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin).
In March 2026, Herndon home prices were up 9.7% compared to the previous year, with a median sale price of $672,000 (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price per square foot is $331, which has seen a slight decrease year-over-year (as reported by Redfin). Homes are selling for approximately 101.5% of their list price on average, indicating strong demand and competitive bidding (as reported by Redfin).
Rental Market
The average rent in Herndon, VA, is approximately $2,102 per month, which is 28% higher than the national average rent price (as reported by Apartments.com). Other sources indicate slightly different average rents, with one noting an average of $2,358 per month, a decrease of 2.02% from the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). Apartments.com further details that studio apartments average around $1,839 per month, one-bedroom apartments average $2,102, two-bedroom apartments average $2,519, and three-bedroom rentals can be $2,856 or more (as reported by Apartments.com).
For comfortable living with the average rent, a monthly income of about $7,006, or $84,072 annually, is suggested (as reported by Apartments.com). RentCafe indicates that the largest share of rentals in Herndon falls between $2,001-$2,500 per month (as reported by RentCafe). Zillow reports the average rent in Herndon at $2,750, which is 37.5% higher than the national average (as reported by Zillow).
Cost of Living and Economic Landscape
Cost of Living
Herndon’s cost of living is notable, with estimates placing it around $2,800 per month, ranking it among the more expensive cities globally and within the United States (as reported by Livingcost). It is considered the 4th most livable city out of 34 in Virginia (as reported by Livingcost). Overall, living in Herndon is approximately 12% more expensive than the national average and 10% more expensive than the average city in Virginia (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).
The primary drivers of Herndon’s cost of living are housing costs, transportation expenses, and food prices (as reported by Salary.com). While housing and transportation can be elevated, food costs in Herndon are more affordable than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Salary.com estimates monthly expenses at $2,916 for a single person and $6,241 for a family of four, positioning Herndon as one of America’s more expensive cities (as reported by Salary.com).
Job Market and Major Employers
The average annual salary in Herndon is reported as $92,887 as of May 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). This translates to an approximate hourly rate of $44.66. Most salaries in Herndon range between $76,621 and $109,948 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The unemployment rate in Fairfax County, which includes Herndon, was 3.70% as of April 2026, which is higher than the long-term average for the county (as reported by YCharts).
Major employers in Herndon include Serco, Northwest Federal Credit Union, Amazon Web Services, Karsun Solutions, Peraton, and Boeing Corporation, among others (as reported by Town of Herndon). Other significant companies with a presence in Herndon include Walmart, FedEx, McDonald’s, and Target (as reported by Indeed.com). The town’s proximity to Washington D.C. also provides access to a vast federal and private sector job market.
Climate and Environment
Temperature and Precipitation
Herndon experiences a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. The average temperature ranges from a low of 25°F in winter to a high of 87°F in summer (as reported by Livability.com). Summers are warm and humid, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 86°F and a low of 67°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Winters are cold and snowy, with January typically being the coldest month, with an average low of 26°F and a high of 42°F (as reported by Weather Spark).
The town receives an average annual rainfall of 42 inches (as reported by Livability.com). The wetter season spans from April to August, with June having the most wet days (as reported by Weather Spark). Herndon also experiences an average annual snowfall of 24 inches (as reported by Livability.com), with most of it falling in January and February (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Education and Demographics
School Ratings
Herndon public schools have an average rating of 6 out of 10, placing them in the top 50% of Virginia public schools (as reported by Niche). Math proficiency scores average 71%, and reading proficiency scores average 69% (as reported by Niche). Several Herndon schools are highly rated, including Carson Middle School, Oak Hill Elementary School, and Floris Elementary School, which are recognized among the top in the state (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
The student body in Herndon’s public schools is diverse, with minority enrollment at 72%, which is higher than the Virginia public school average (as reported by Niche). Herndon High School is the only high school serving the area, and while some schools excel, others face challenges in meeting district and state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The Fairfax County Public Schools district serves Herndon, providing a wide range of educational options.
Demographics
Herndon is home to a diverse population of approximately 24,700 residents (as reported by Data USA). White, non-Hispanic residents constitute the largest ethnic group, followed by Hispanic or Latino, and Asian residents (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 41.9% of Herndon residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA).
The median age in Herndon is 35.7 years (as reported by Town of Herndon). The population is balanced, with a slight majority of males (51.8%) compared to females (48.2%) (as reported by Point2Homes). The town has a significant percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, indicating an educated workforce (as reported by Town of Herndon).