Fairfax, VA vs Wake Forest, NC
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
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Fairfax leads in walk score (54 vs 20). Fairfax leads in crime level (2.5 vs 4.0). Wake Forest leads in cost of living index (116 vs 160).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 25,144 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+25.6 |
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+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →
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