Arlington, VA vs San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
62.9
#1817 nationally
Arlington leads in school rating (8.8 vs 6.5). Arlington leads in cost of living index (151 vs 195). San Francisco leads in walk score (89 vs 69).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arlington, VA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.2 (#917) | 62.9 (#1817) |
| Population | 238,643 | 808,437 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $815,538 | $1,416,278 |
| Median Household Income | $137,387 | $136,689 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 33.4 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 89 |
| Crime Level | Low | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 8.8 | 6.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 195 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+58.6 | D+64.8 |
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-
62.9 Score
San Francisco, CA
Innovation capital on the bay
Median Home
$1,416,278
Population
808,437
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
B-
Pacific
View San Francisco, CA →
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