Arlington, VA vs San Mateo, CA
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
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
Arlington leads in cost of living index (151 vs 249). San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $137,387). Arlington leads in walk score (69 vs 68).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arlington, VA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.2 (#917) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 238,643 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $815,538 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $137,387 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 68 |
| Crime Level | Low | 6.7 |
| School Rating | 8.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+58.6 | D+50.3 |
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 →
D
63 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →
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