Fairfax, VA vs Monterey, 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
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Fairfax leads in crime level (2.5 vs 10.5). Monterey leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 28.5 min). Fairfax leads in median household income ($128,708 vs $98,003).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 25,144 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 10.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+29.9 |
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-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →