Arlington, VA vs Cary, NC
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.
Arlington
72.2
#917 nationally
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Arlington leads in walk score (69 vs 28). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 28.2 min). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 151).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arlington, VA | Cary, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.2 (#917) | 72.1 (#924) |
| Population | 238,643 | 180,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $815,538 | $628,913 |
| Median Household Income | $137,387 | $125,317 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.9 |
| School Rating | 8.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+58.6 | D+25.6 |
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 →
C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →