Home > Vienna > Town vs. Mailing Address

A "Vienna, VA" mailing address doesn't always mean a home is in the Town of Vienna. The Vienna postal area (ZIP codes 22180, 22181, and 22182) covers a much larger part of Fairfax County, roughly between I-66, the Beltway, Route 7, and Hunter Mill Road. The incorporated town is only about 4.4 square miles inside it. Here's why the difference matters.

Taxes

  • Inside the town: You pay Fairfax County's real estate tax of $1.12 per $100 of assessed value plus the town's tax, which the Town Council cut to 19 cents per $100 for fiscal 2027. That's $1.31 combined.
  • Outside the town: You pay only the county's $1.12, plus any special district taxes.
  • What it means: On a $1 million home, the town tax adds about $1,900 a year. See property taxes in Vienna and Vienna's cost of living.

Town services and rules

  • What the town provides: Its own police department, parks and community center, and town-run services. Ask the seller which services and bills apply to the home.
  • Zoning and permits: Town homes follow the town's zoning code, which was rewritten and took effect January 1, 2024, and the town's tree canopy rules. Homes outside follow Fairfax County rules. This matters if you plan to build or expand; see teardowns and new construction and selling a house with unpermitted work in Vienna.
  • Local voice: Town residents vote for the Town Council, which decides on projects along Maple Avenue and Church Street.

How to tell where a home is

  • ZIP code isn't enough: 22180 includes most of the town but also county areas, while much of 22181 and 22182, including the Wolf Trap area, is outside the town.
  • Check the tax record: A town property shows the town tax on its bill. You can also check the county's parcel viewer or the town's maps.
  • Schools don't follow town lines: All Vienna addresses attend Fairfax County Public Schools, but the high school can be Madison, Oakton, or Marshall. See the Vienna schools guide.

Nearby, some Vienna-address homes sit in communities with their own identity, like Dunn Loring and Oakton; see Dunn Loring and Merrifield and our Oakton real estate hub.

Questions people ask about Vienna addresses

Is it better to buy inside the Town of Vienna?

It depends on what you value. Town homes are close to Church Street, town parks, and town events, and pay the extra 19 cents. Homes outside often have bigger lots or lower taxes. See why people move to Vienna.

Does a town address change resale value?

Buyers often pay for walkability to Maple Avenue and Church Street, but the school assignment and the lot usually matter more. See which areas of Vienna are improving in value.

Is Dunn Loring or Oakton part of Vienna?

No. They're unincorporated parts of Fairfax County, though some homes there use a Vienna mailing address. See Dunn Loring and Merrifield and our Oakton real estate hub.

Know exactly what you're buying

I'll confirm the locality, tax rate, and school assignment on every home before you write an offer. Contact Johnny Quilenderino to map out your buying or selling strategy.

More Vienna neighborhood guides:

For more Vienna buyer and seller questions, visit our Vienna real estate hub.