Albany, CA vs Fairfax, VA
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.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Fairfax
70.4
#1102 nationally
Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 54). Fairfax leads in crime level (2.5 vs 3.8). Fairfax leads in cost of living index (160 vs 207).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Fairfax, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 70.4 (#1102) |
| Population | 19,097 | 25,144 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $787,568 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $128,708 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | 2.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+35.0 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
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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 →