These Are the 25 Worst Towns in Virginia for Retiree Homebuyers Who Require an Affordable Mortgage or Home in 2025

For retirees looking to stretch their fixed housing budget in Virginia, these 25 towns represent the most expensive real estate markets in the state according to the Zillow Home Value Index data.

Great Falls tops the list with a median home value of $1.57 million in 2024, while even the “most affordable” town on the list, Haymarket, requires nearly $794,000 to buy a typical home.

These markets, dominated by Northern Virginia’s affluent Washington DC suburbs and picturesque horse country estates, have seen substantial price appreciation that puts them out of reach for most retirees on fixed incomes.

Here’s the list.

1. Haymarket, Virginia

This historic Prince William County town opens our list, with median values climbing from $488,333 in 2014 to $540,465 in 2019, before reaching $793,547 in 2024. Nestled at the foothills of the Bull Run Mountains, Haymarket has posted a solid 62.5% increase over the decade, while maintaining strong 46.8% growth since 2019.

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2. Ashburn, Virginia

This booming tech corridor hub demonstrates remarkable growth, with values rising from $493,331 in 2014 to $562,049 in 2019, before achieving $797,239 in 2024. Ashburn’s transformation into “Data Center Alley” has helped drive its 61.6% appreciation over ten years, with a robust 41.8% gain since 2019.

3. Chantilly, Virginia

This thriving Fairfax County community shows steady appreciation, with values progressing from $485,181 in 2014 to $556,629 in 2019, before reaching $802,782 in 2024. Property values have increased by 65.5% over the decade, with a solid 44.2% growth since 2019.

4. Union Hall, Virginia

This Franklin County gem has seen extraordinary appreciation, with values starting at $399,805 in 2014, rising to $442,602 in 2019, before soaring to $803,878 in 2024. Union Hall posted the highest decade-long growth at 101.1%, with an impressive 81.6% surge since 2019.

5. Round Hill, Virginia

This charming western Loudoun County town demonstrates strong market performance, with values increasing from $470,301 in 2014 to $544,173 in 2019, before reaching $806,744 in 2024. The town has experienced a 71.5% increase over ten years, with solid 48.3% appreciation since 2019.

6. Arlington, Virginia

This prime inner suburb of DC shows consistent growth, with values rising from $574,144 in 2014 to $682,915 in 2019, before achieving $811,077 in 2024. Despite more modest gains, Arlington has posted a 41.3% increase over the decade, with the Amazon HQ2 effect influencing recent values.

7. Keswick, Virginia

This prestigious Albemarle County community maintains steady appreciation, with values climbing from $506,529 in 2014 to $556,953 in 2019, before reaching $815,678 in 2024. The estate area has experienced a 61.0% increase over ten years, with strong 46.5% growth since 2019.

8. Leesburg, Virginia

This historic Loudoun County seat shows remarkable growth, with values progressing from $480,251 in 2014 to $557,874 in 2019, before achieving $818,509 in 2024. The market has grown by 70.4% over the decade, while maintaining solid 46.7% appreciation since 2019.

9. Hume, Virginia

This scenic Fauquier County village demonstrates steady appreciation, with values rising from $511,591 in 2014 to $570,955 in 2019, before reaching $823,734 in 2024. Hume has experienced a 61.0% increase over ten years, with consistent 44.3% growth since 2019.

10. Hamilton, Virginia

This western Loudoun County town shows strong market performance, with values climbing from $464,642 in 2014 to $553,151 in 2019, before reaching $833,424 in 2024. Property values have increased by 79.4% over the decade, with robust 50.7% appreciation since 2019.

11. Purcellville, Virginia

This thriving western Loudoun community demonstrates substantial growth, with values rising from $481,275 in 2014 to $572,245 in 2019, before achieving $853,339 in 2024. The town has posted a strong 77.3% gain over ten years, with steady 49.1% growth since 2019.

12. Delaplane, Virginia

This picturesque Fauquier County village shows consistent appreciation, with values increasing from $590,166 in 2014 to $612,016 in 2019, before reaching $861,550 in 2024. The market has experienced a 46.0% increase over the decade, with solid 40.8% growth since 2019.

Related: These Are the 30 Best Public High Schools in Virginia for College Prep and Admission

13. The Plains, Virginia

This exclusive horse country town demonstrates steady growth, with values progressing from $543,639 in 2014 to $602,076 in 2019, before achieving $891,713 in 2024. Property values have increased by 64.0% over ten years, with strong 48.1% appreciation since 2019.

14. Fort Hunt, Virginia

This desirable Fairfax County community shows consistent appreciation, with values climbing from $651,294 in 2014 to $713,510 in 2019, before reaching $952,031 in 2024. The area has experienced a 46.2% increase over the decade, with moderate 33.4% growth since 2019.

15. Clifton, Virginia

This historic Fairfax County town maintains steady growth, with values rising from $633,918 in 2014 to $695,708 in 2019, before achieving $973,645 in 2024. The market has posted a 53.6% gain over ten years, with solid 40.0% appreciation since 2019.

16. Catharpin, Virginia

This rural Prince William County community shows strong performance, with values increasing from $583,932 in 2014 to $664,723 in 2019, before reaching $1,002,860 in 2024. Property values have grown by 71.7% over the decade, with robust 50.9% appreciation since 2019.

17. Oakton, Virginia

This upscale Fairfax County community demonstrates steady growth, with values progressing from $712,234 in 2014 to $761,879 in 2019, before achieving $1,040,365 in 2024. The market has experienced a 46.1% increase over ten years, with solid 36.6% growth since 2019.

18. Aldie, Virginia

This historic Loudoun County village shows remarkable appreciation, with values climbing from $591,651 in 2014 to $677,199 in 2019, before reaching $1,052,366 in 2024. The area has posted a strong 77.9% gain over the decade, with impressive 55.4% growth since 2019.

19. Middleburg, Virginia

This prestigious horse country destination maintains consistent growth, with values rising from $617,277 in 2014 to $693,878 in 2019, before achieving $1,068,604 in 2024. The market has experienced a 73.1% increase over ten years, with robust 54.0% appreciation since 2019.

20. Vienna, Virginia

This sought-after Fairfax County town shows steady appreciation, with values increasing from $744,289 in 2014 to $816,286 in 2019, before reaching $1,101,113 in 2024. Property values have grown by 47.9% over the decade, with solid 34.9% growth since 2019.

21. Upperville, Virginia

This exclusive equestrian community demonstrates consistent growth, with values adjusting from $838,016 in 2014 to $809,350 in 2019, before achieving $1,174,853 in 2024. Despite some market fluctuations, the area has posted a 40.2% gain over ten years, with strong 45.2% recent growth.

22. Dunn Loring, Virginia

This premium Fairfax County community shows steady appreciation, with values climbing from $772,713 in 2014 to $869,700 in 2019, before reaching $1,191,590 in 2024. The market has experienced a 54.2% increase over the decade, with moderate 37.0% growth since 2019.

23. Waterford, Virginia

This historic Loudoun County village demonstrates remarkable growth, with values rising from $691,356 in 2014 to $761,014 in 2019, before achieving $1,239,341 in 2024. Property values have increased by 79.3% over ten years, with impressive 62.9% appreciation since 2019.

24. McLean, Virginia

This prestigious Fairfax County community maintains consistent appreciation, with values progressing from $912,446 in 2014 to $978,972 in 2019, before reaching $1,352,733 in 2024. The market has posted a 48.3% gain over the decade, with solid 38.2% growth since 2019.

Related: These Are the 30 Best Places to Live in Virginia

25. Great Falls, Virginia

The crown jewel of Northern Virginia’s luxury market, Great Falls tops the list with values rising from $1,049,190 in 2014 to $1,045,905 in 2019, before achieving $1,565,454 in 2024. Despite some market fluctuations, this exclusive community has experienced a 49.2% increase over ten years, with impressive 49.7% growth since 2019, maintaining its position as Virginia’s most expensive residential market.