Arlington, VA vs Carol Stream, 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.
Arlington
72.2
#917 nationally
Carol Stream
75.4
#460 nationally
Arlington leads in walk score (69 vs 36). Carol Stream leads in cost of living index (113 vs 151). Arlington leads in median household income ($137,387 vs $103,525).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arlington, VA | Carol Stream, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.2 (#917) | 75.4 (#460) |
| Population | 238,643 | 38,966 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $815,538 | $388,952 |
| Median Household Income | $137,387 | $103,525 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 29.3 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 36 |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.9 |
| School Rating | 8.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 113 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+58.6 | D+13.3 |
C-
72.2 Score
Arlington, VA
Urban walkability meets federal opportunity
Median Home
$815,538
Population
238,643
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southeast
View Arlington, VA →
C
75.4 Score
Carol Stream, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$388,952
Population
38,966
Crime
Low
Walk Score
36
Midwest
View Carol Stream, IL →
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