Fairfax, VA vs Modesto, 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
Modesto
64.2
#1712 nationally
Fairfax leads in crime level (2.5 vs 18.0). Fairfax leads in median household income ($128,708 vs $73,375). Modesto leads in cost of living index (130 vs 160).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 64.2 (#1712) |
| Population | 25,144 | 218,915 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $447,153 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $73,375 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 29.4 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 18.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 130 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | R+11.0 |
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
64.2 Score
Modesto, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$447,153
Population
218,915
Crime
High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Modesto, CA →