Fairfax, VA vs Irvine, 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.
Fairfax
70.4
#1102 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Fairfax leads in walk score (54 vs 44). Fairfax leads in cost of living index (160 vs 178). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 28.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 25,144 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+2.6 |
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 →
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →