Fairfax, 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.
Fairfax
70.4
#1102 nationally
San Francisco
62.9
#1817 nationally
San Francisco leads in walk score (89 vs 54). Fairfax leads in cost of living index (160 vs 195). Fairfax leads in average commute (28.5 min vs 33.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 62.9 (#1817) |
| Population | 25,144 | 808,437 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $1,416,278 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $136,689 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 33.4 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 89 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 195 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+64.8 |
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-
62.9 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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