Arlington, VA vs Lafayette, CA
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
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Arlington leads in walk score (69 vs 26). Arlington leads in cost of living index (151 vs 280). Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $137,387).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arlington, VA | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.2 (#917) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 238,643 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $815,538 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $137,387 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 26 |
| Crime Level | Low | 2.2 |
| School Rating | 8.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+58.6 | D+38.0 |
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 →
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →
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