Want to live near DC but undecided about where to locate in Maryland or Virginia? Montgomery County, Maryland has a lot of similarities to Fairfax County, located across the border in the state of Virginia.
These two communities are often compared and advertise themselves as the "best place to live" in the Washington, D.C. area. What's the better location? A recent report from the Office of Legislative Oversight compares these two counties as being very similar. Both are pleasant upscale communities with a enthusiastic population of supporters. So how do they compare?
Population
Montgomery has fewer residents which equates to more space for its residents and less congestion. 1,015,302 people live in Fairfax, 950,680 live in Montgomery.
Land
Montgomery County is larger than Fairfax Country-497 square miles compared to 395 square miles. It also uses its land differently than Fairfax with a higher percentage (38% to 15%) of parks and open land. Both are lovely but if you like less congestion and more green space, Montgomery County has the edge.
Income
Both counties have similar incomes. Residents in Fairfax County make on average $67,909 and Montgomery County residents average $67,525. Not much difference here!
Expenditures per Resident
Montgomery County spends more on its residents per capita. Montgomery spends $4,706 per resident while Fairfax only spends $4,316. City services are pretty good in both places.
Economic Factors
There is a higher amount of homeless people in Fairfax County. Fairfax reports there are 181 people homeless for every 100,000 people and in Montgomery there are 121 people homeless per 100,000 people. Both communities reach out to its disadvantage citizens.
The foreclosure rate is higher in Fairfax County. The foreclosure rate in Fairfax is 3.3% and only 2.4% in Montgomery.
Taxes
Property and business property taxes are lower in Montgomery County, ranging from $0.975 to $2.835 per $100 in assessed value as opposed to $1.066 to $1.443 per $100 in Fairfax County. If you are starting a business, Montgomery County has the edge.
Commute Time
Both areas experience congestion and long commutes. The average commute time from Fairfax is 30.5 minutes, the average from Montgomery is 32.9 minutes. Here's the killer. A half hour doesn't sound like much but the drive can be intense. If you already have a job, drive the route to both locations to help you zero in your search for a home.
Given that both of these counties are very similar and continue to compete as the best place to live, a lot of what is "best" is subjective. The bottom line is living in Montgomery County is similar to living in Fairfax County--you just get more green space. Your best choice depends on what's convenient to your job and how you like the area.
Need some good resources to help you decide? Aside from the websites for Montgomery and Fairfax Counties, a handy online forum can offer responses to your questions from others who have lived in the area.
Courtney Donato-Griffiths can also show your the perfect house in Potomac, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Kensington, Bethesda, or other Montgomery County locations and is ready to discuss all the scenarios of the new home buyer's credit and current interest rates with you. Whether you are buying a Montgomery County home or selling one, Courtney is your local Montgomery County specialist.
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