Cities Near Washington, DC: 10 Beyond-the-Beltway Hotspots for Commuters

With a diverse population, a rich cultural community, and an eclectic dining scene, DC is far more than just the U.S. capital. The city offers basically every perk a major metro area could. But those perks come with a high price tag, which means living in Washington, DC, may be out of reach — even for people moving to town for a job opportunity. A smart compromise? Looking into one of the cities near Washington, DC, instead, and commuting to work. The benefits? More square footage, less crime, and more room to breathe — just to name a few.

Washington, DC, at a Glance

Before we dig into cities near Washington, DC, let’s take a quick look at what it’s like to actually live within the limits of DC proper. As everyone knows, the nation’s capital is a major tourist destination, with monuments, museums, and federal buildings on nearly every block. DC is No. 4 among the Best Cities in America for Young Professionals, per Niche, and home to stellar educational institutions like Georgetown University, George Washington University, Howard University, and more. The population is just under 700,000, but that jumps to more than 1 million every day thanks to commuters from cities near Washington, DC, with easy (or easy-ish) commutes to the nation’s capital. To live comfortably in DC, a family of four would need a minimum annual income of $123,480, and a single person $68,400.

Here are a few more DC facts:

• Cost of living: 151.9 (51.9 percent higher than the national average index)
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,350
• Average home value: $578,800
• Great for: Young professionals, families, nightlife, diversity, great schools, outdoor living, history

Best Cities Near Washington, DC — FAQs

Q: What cities commute to DC?
A: Alexandria, Rockville, and Arlington are some of the Virginia and Maryland cities commuters choose, each among the cities 30 minutes from Washington, DC, give or take a few minutes.

Q: What are the major cities in the Washington, DC, area?
A: Arlington and Alexandria top the list of major cities near Washington, DC.

Q: How close are Baltimore and DC?
A: The commute from Baltimore to DC is roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes by car, and about 30 to 45 minutes by train, and travels through many other cities near Washington, DC.

Q: What state is DC closest to?
A: DC is very close to Virginia, but the Maryland suburbs are even closer.  

Q: What is the most affordable city near Washington, DC?
A: Among the Maryland and Virginia suburbs and cities near Washington, DC, Kensington, MD, has the most reasonable cost-of-living score, at 138.5. If you’re just looking at home value, Rockville, MD, is the most affordable on our list, sitting at an average of $606,400. And if rent cost is your criterion, a one-bedroom apartment in Oakton, VA, averages $1,925 per month — but home values there are super pricey.

With a commute of about 25 minutes to the capital, Alexandria is one of the most charming cities near Washington, DC.

10 Best Cities Near Washington, DC

To determine the top 10 cities near Washington, DC, we researched a range of attributes in surrounding cities, including housing costs, commute times, cultural offerings, and other amenities. Our goal is to make sure we compare accurately to help you pick what city near Washington to choose for your next move.

Several of Maryland and Virginia’s top destinations are located within a short commute to the DC area and offer similar amenities, from diverse dining to a lively arts scene. Here are our top picks.

1. Alexandria, VA

• Cost of living: 144.7
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,975
• Average home value: $663,200
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, restaurants, shopping
• Commute into DC: 25-minute drive

Situated along the beautiful Potomac River, the city of Alexandria is regarded as one of the best Virginia cities near Washington, DC. With over 900 acres of parks, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking trails, botanical preserves, dog parks, and so much more. And whether you prefer to hike, bike, or walk, the beautiful 23-mile Alexandria Heritage Trail offers the perfect space to explore along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Along with easy access to the glorious outdoors, local residents of Alexandria have access to the beloved Historic King Street. From restaurants and a weekly farmers’ market to hundreds of shops to peruse, this vibrant two-block street is quite popular in the city.

2. Bethesda, MD

• Cost of living: 138.5
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,400
• Average home value: $1.1M
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, proximity to local hotspots
• Commute into DC: 30-minute drive

Located northwest of Washington, DC, the laid-back town of Bethesda is home to a wide variety of DC commuters, as it’s only about a 30-minute drive away from the hustle and bustle. You don’t have to go to the big city to find exciting nightlife; however, living in the central location of Bethesda also gives you easy access to Silver Spring.

Residents of Bethesda can also take advantage of Bethesda Row, a collection of upscale stores and restaurants just west of the city. Recreation is quite popular in the town, as well, as evidenced by the Capital Crescent Trail — one of the nation's most heavily used trails — which runs through the heart of the town and connects the Wisconsin South neighborhoods and Bethesda West.

3. Arlington, VA

• Cost of living: 164.3
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,425
• Average home value: $805,800
• Great for: Tranquil environment, outdoor recreation, arts scene
• Commute into DC: 20-minute drive

Just a 20-minute drive from DC, the lively city of Arlington in Virginia offers just about everything a top suburb should. Living in Arlington, VA, means enjoying beautiful, lush greenery and a tranquil atmosphere without the bustle of the big city. To get acquainted with the 1,000 acres of local parklands, the Four Mile Run Park is a great place to begin. Start your journey near the neighborhood of Claremont, and if you get ambitious and keep traveling northwest, you can connect to the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail — known as the skinniest trail in Virginia, Washington, and Old Dominion.

It’s not all about the outdoors in Arlington, though. The city also prides itself on a vibrant arts scene, where you can check out distinctive exhibits, engaging art programs, and a full slate of classical and contemporary performances at hotspots like The Signature Theatre and the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington.

4. Kensington, MD

• Cost of living: 138.5
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,000
• Average home value: $789,400
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, farmer’s markets, restaurants
• Commute into DC: 35-minute drive

Kensington is a charming, historic town near DC filled with bustling life and plenty of activities for everyone. Whether it’s enjoying the weekly farmers markets and summer concerts or chowing down at the cafes and restaurants that line the streets, you’ll never have a boring weekend here.

Speaking of good eats, Kensington has plenty of fine dining establishments that cater to those with a variety of taste buds, including Talia's Cuzina and The Dish and Dram. There’s also a variety of parks and recreation facilities that allow local residents to enjoy some time outdoors, including Rock Creek Regional Park, a great place to bike and hike.

Ashburn, a laidback area of open space and wildlife, is one of the nicest Virginia cities near DC.

5. Ashburn, VA

• Cost of living: 147.9
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,225
• Average home value: $795,800
• Great for: Shopping, dining, laid-back environment

• Commute into DC: 50-minute drive

A part of Loudoun County, Ashburn is a laid-back city full of open space and wildlife that’s still in close proximity to fun shopping centers, entertainment, and more (not to mention it’s less than an hour from DC). There's a lot to do in the Ashburn area, including spending some time at the local Belmont Country Club.

Shopping and dining at One Loudoun is also a resident favorite, with local boutiques and eateries like Bar Louie and Ted’s Bulletin.

6. Rockville, MD

• Cost of living: 138.5
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,075
• Average home value: $606,400
• Great for: Restaurants, shopping, outdoor recreation
• Commute into DC: 45-minute drive

The city of Rockville is one of the best Maryland cities near Washington, DC, according to Niche — No. 11, in fact, in the entire state. It’s one of the oldest cities in Maryland and is also home to some of the most advanced biomedical and technology companies in the area.

Residents enjoy access to Rockville Town Square, a walkable area with a variety of cafes and restaurants, plus great options for gifts and groceries.

People who enjoy the outdoors will feel right at home in Rockville’s variety of parks and recreation facilities. One can’t-miss attraction, in particular, is the urban wildlife sanctuary at Croydon Creek Nature Center.

7. Oakton, VA

• Cost of living: 149.7
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,925
• Average home value: $1.1M
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, shopping, fun activities, schools
• Commute into DC: 30-minute drive

Oakton is ranked No. 11 on two Niche lists: Best Suburbs to Live in Virginia and Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in Virginia. Just a 30-minute commute to DC, Oakton has pretty much everything to offer among cities near Washington, DC, from fabulous outdoor recreation and a variety of shopping options to several fun attractions and good schools.

Natural beauty is abundant in Oakton, as well. Parks include Gabrielson Gardens Park and Ashlawn Park, and there are plenty of trails and other outdoor spaces to enjoy.

You’ll never run out of options when shopping in Oakton, as you can find everything from shopping malls to farmers markets. Be sure to check out Oakton Shopping Center, the main shopping center in the city, along with FRESHFARM Oakton Farmers Market, which sells everything from fresh fruits and veggies to bread and other baked goods.

Potomac is one of the nicest cities near Washington, DC, to raise a family.

8. Potomac, MD

• Cost of living: 138.5
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,750
• Average home value: $1.3M
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, shopping
• Commute into DC: 45-minute drive

The community of Potomac is the No. 1 Place in Maryland to Raise a Family, according to Niche. Just 13 miles from the capital — one of the closest cities near Washington, DC — the area mainly consists of large homes with expansive lawns, which makes the atmosphere more relaxing and quiet for people who are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of DC.

Potomac residents have easy access to various outdoor activities. The Billy Goat Trail, near the Great Falls of Maryland, is an eight-mile path that’s great for experienced and novice hikers alike.

As for shopping, one of the most popular destinations is the Potomac Place Shopping Center, an outdoor mall reminiscent of a small-town main street.

9. South Riding, VA

• Cost of living: 147.9
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,350
• Median home sale price: $740,000
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, golfing
• Commute into DC: 50-minute drive

South Riding is a vibrant, popular community in Loudoun County. Just a 50-minute drive to DC, this area is ideal for commuters, and families and retirees enjoy the lifestyle here, as well, in one of the best cities near Washington, DC.

It’s easy to stay active in South Riding, as residents have access to hundreds of acres of parkland. The Dulles South Recreation and Community Center features indoor pools and a fitness center, and the South Riding Golf Club, designed by renowned architect Dan Maples, offers the opportunity to play a couple of rounds of golf while enjoying the local scenery.

10. Olney, MD

• Cost of living: 138.5
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,825
• Average home value: $656,200
• Great for: Restaurants, culture, theater scene
• Commute into DC: 50-minute drive

Among the charming towns near Washington, DC, the formerly rural community of Olney has undergone a major transformation over the past few years. Its prime location, only 19 miles from Downtown Washington, DC, is partly responsible for its rise. Other factors, like high-quality restaurants, a great culture, and plenty of employment opportunities, have also contributed to its emergence as one of the area's most desirable places to live.

Residents of Olney have also long regarded the area's thriving theater scene as one of the best among the cities near Washington, DC. The Olney Theatre Center, in particular, features multiple stages and is known for presenting a wide range of theatrical performances., in particular, features multiple stages and is known for presenting a wide range of theatrical performances.

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Editor’s note: Average and median rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and Zumper; average home values were obtained from Zillow; and median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100. Home values in the millions were rounded to the nearest $100,000.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}