Fairfax, VA vs Wheeling, 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
Wheeling
77.3
#265 nationally
Fairfax leads in median household income ($128,708 vs $80,054). Wheeling leads in cost of living index (104 vs 160). Wheeling leads in crime level (1.7 vs 2.5).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | Wheeling, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 77.3 (#265) |
| Population | 25,144 | 37,725 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $321,656 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $80,054 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 26.6 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 1.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+42.0 |
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 →
C+
77.3 Score
Wheeling, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$321,656
Population
37,725
Crime
Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Wheeling, IL →
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