Fairfax, 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.
Fairfax
70.4
#1102 nationally
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Fairfax leads in walk score (54 vs 26). Fairfax leads in cost of living index (160 vs 280). Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $128,708).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 25,144 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 26 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 2.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+38.0 |
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 →
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 →