Downtown Falls Church in Northern Virginia

Living in Falls Church VA

Overview

Explore the Benefits of Life in Falls Church, VA

Small town living in Virginia with top-notch schools

Living in Falls Church offers residents the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and energy of Washington D.C., while also enjoying the benefits of living just outside the city center. 

Known as the Little City and dating back to the 1600s, Falls Church is tucked between Arlington and Fairfax Counties. Residents living in Falls Church, VA are often attracted by the nationally-ranked public schools, cultural diversity and endless community activities. Catch a show at the historic State Theater or enjoy meeting neighbors while browsing the town center shops. For those who want more space, several nearby towns offer their own unique charms.

The Falls Church area boasts an array of restaurants serving international cuisine, including Thai, Indian, Ethiopian and Mexican food. There are many breweries and wineries within easy reach, too. And if you’re looking for something different, check out the annual Artisanal Festival held every September.

Falls Church residents have voted it “Best Place” to raise children multiple times since 2000. With top-ranked farmers’ markets and low crime rates, Falls Church is a great community for families.

The average cost of living in Falls Church, VA is on par with the surrounding area. To learn more about the cost of living in Falls Church, and Northern Virginia as a whole, visit the Northern Virginia cost of living calculator. This tool can help you compare the cost of living in Northern Virginia against other U.S. cities, and provides detailed information around categories like groceries, housing and transportation.

  • Walk Icon
    Walk Score

    Walk Score measures the walkability of any address. READ MORE

    91 in Walkability

    This community is very walkable. Residents can easily access the city center on foot.

  • Plane Icon
    Commute Time to Airport

    25 min drive to DCA or 25 min drive to IAD

  • Bus Icon
    Commute Time to D.C.

    30 min drive

Tags
Family-friendly, Hiking/biking, Metro/bus, Music/performing arts, Single-family, Suburban, Walk/bike/e-scooter

Demographics

Schools in Falls Church

An internationally-recognized district

Falls Church City Public Schools is the top rated district in Virginia with an overall grade of A+ by Niche. Known internationally thanks to its premier K-12 International Baccalaureate program, the district enrolls 2,500 students and has a per-pupil expenditure of $19,000.

 

Falls Church Transportation

Options for connecting to D.C. and neighboring communities

The City of Falls Church is just across the border from Arlington County and has a number of options for getting around. Residents living in Falls Church enjoy easy access to Washington D.C. and the other regions of Northern Virginia. 

Transportation options in Falls Church include:

  • Serviced by 2 Metrorail stations
  • 12 Metrobus routes
  • 3 ART Bus routes
  • Capital Bikeshare
  • Uber, Lyft and numerous taxi companies

Falls Church Attractions

Learn, watch, eat and compete in Falls Church

Falls Church is home to the largest Vietnamese commercial center on the East Coast. Delight your palate with pho and bubble tea of Eden Center and explore the more than 120 shops, restaurants and businesses in the center. Washington’s hub of Vietnamese food and culture, Falls Church wide-reaching offering of things to do has earned attention from young professionals and families choosing to call the community home.

Residents frequently enjoy comedy shows and concerts at the State Theater, an 850-person capacity venue where everyone from Blondie to John Mayer has played. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Recreation and Parks Department’s year-round programming includes soccer, basketball and flag football for youth and nature photography, tennis and more for adults.

Falls Church Taxes

Competitive state for taxes

Tax rates in Virginia are competitive, especially compared to surrounding states. According to Wallethub, the tax burden in Virginia is lower than that of states like Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina. 

  • State Income Tax (VA): 5.75%
  • Real Property Tax Rate: $1.235 per $100 Assessed Value
  • Sales Tax (Combined State and Local): 6.0%