Albany, CA vs Arlington, VA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Arlington
72.2
#917 nationally
Arlington leads in cost of living index (151 vs 207). Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 69). Arlington leads in average commute (28.2 min vs 31.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 72.2 (#917) |
| Population | 19,097 | 238,643 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $815,538 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $137,387 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 28.2 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 69 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 151 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+58.6 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
C-
72.2 Score
Arlington, VA
Urban walkability meets federal opportunity
Median Home
$815,538
Population
238,643
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southeast
View Arlington, VA →