Baltimore, MD vs Fairfax, 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.
Baltimore
75.5
#444 nationally
Fairfax
70.4
#1102 nationally
Fairfax leads in crime level (2.5 vs 44.0). Fairfax leads in median household income ($128,708 vs $58,349). Baltimore leads in cost of living index (108 vs 160).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fairfax, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.5 (#444) | 70.4 (#1102) |
| Population | 565,239 | 25,144 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $189,754 | $787,568 |
| Median Household Income | $58,349 | $128,708 |
| Average Commute | 30.1 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 64 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 44.0 | 2.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.9 | D+35.0 |
C
75.5 Score
Baltimore, MD
Major Maryland city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$189,754
Population
565,239
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
64
Northeast
View Baltimore, MD →
C-
70.4 Score
Fairfax, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$787,568
Population
25,144
Crime
Low
Walk Score
54
Northeast
View Fairfax, VA →