Fairfax, VA vs Mountain View, 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
Mountain View
63.3
#1779 nationally
Fairfax leads in crime level (2.5 vs 8.4). Fairfax leads in cost of living index (160 vs 285). Mountain View leads in median household income ($174,156 vs $128,708).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | Mountain View, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 63.3 (#1779) |
| Population | 25,144 | 81,785 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $1,962,774 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $174,156 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 24.2 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 66 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 8.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 285 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+40.0 |
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
63.3 Score
Mountain View, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,962,774
Population
81,785
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
66
Pacific
View Mountain View, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Fairfax for: