Fairfax, VA vs Wheaton, IL
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
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Wheaton leads in crime level (1.4 vs 2.5). Fairfax leads in walk score (54 vs 40). Wheaton leads in cost of living index (126 vs 160).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 25,144 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 1.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+13.3 |
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 →
C
75.2 Score
Wheaton, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$518,505
Population
52,938
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Wheaton, IL →