Signals
Bethesda
Fairfax
Climate
72 · Top 42%
vs74 · Top 31%
Physical resilience
85 · Top 17%
vs82 · Top 20%
Housing affordability
71 · Bottom 36%
vs70 · Bottom 33%
Access
91 · Bottom 48%
vs98 · Top 21%
Economic stability
74 · Top 19%
vs74 · Top 20%
Measured values
| Metric | Bethesda | Fairfax | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,397 | 25,026 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $192,237 | $132,348 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $120,363 | $63,647 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 5,233/sq mi | 4,010/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $1,169,900 | $722,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,469 | $2,245 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 64.0% | 69.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 87.1% | 62.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 4.3% | 9.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 90°F | 88°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 30°F | 25°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 43.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 19 mi | 11 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 30.2 min | 31.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.8 | 36.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Full profiles: Bethesda, MD · Fairfax, VA · How this is calculated: methodology