Arlington, VA vs Melrose, MA
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
Melrose
67.3
#1438 nationally
Arlington leads in average commute (28.2 min vs 37.1 min). Arlington leads in walk score (69 vs 62). Arlington leads in cost of living index (151 vs 167).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arlington, VA | Melrose, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.2 (#917) | 67.3 (#1438) |
| Population | 238,643 | 29,357 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $815,538 | $930,823 |
| Median Household Income | $137,387 | $126,305 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 37.1 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 62 |
| Crime Level | Low | 2.8 |
| School Rating | 8.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 167 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+58.6 | D+39.5 |
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 →
D+
67.3 Score
Melrose, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$930,823
Population
29,357
Crime
Low
Walk Score
62
Northeast
View Melrose, MA →