Fairfax, VA vs Mercer Island, WA
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
Mercer Island
64.9
#1667 nationally
Mercer Island leads in crime level (1.0 vs 2.5). Fairfax leads in cost of living index (160 vs 264). Fairfax leads in walk score (54 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | Mercer Island, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 64.9 (#1667) |
| Population | 25,144 | 24,742 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $2,295,406 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $190,985 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 1.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 264 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+51.7 |
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
64.9 Score
Mercer Island, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$2,295,406
Population
24,742
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View Mercer Island, WA →
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