Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arden-Arcade, CA
VS
Suffolk, VA
🏆 Suffolk leads 14 of 23 categories
Arden-Arcade
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,479
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High
Population
96,076 ✓ Larger
Suffolk
Virginia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$87,758 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
98 ✓ Safer
Population
94,856
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arden-Arcade, CA
Pros
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 36.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 49°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $466,300
Median income trails Suffolk by $23,279/yr
Violent crime (518.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Suffolk
Suffolk, VA
Pros
Homes cost $152k less ($314,400 vs $466,300)
28% less violent crime than Arden-Arcade
Households earn $23,279 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (6.3%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Arden-Arcade
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 94°F
Cons
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Arden-Arcade
Summer Heat
7.6°F warmer
July avg high 94.4°F vs 86.8°F
Suffolk
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Suffolk
Median Income
$23,279
$87,758 vs $64,479/yr
Suffolk
Violent Crime
28% lower
371.0 vs 518.1 per 100k
Suffolk
Median Home Value
$152k less
$314,400 vs $466,300
Suffolk
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
6.3% vs 8.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arden-Arcade, CA | Suffolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $466,300⚠ High | $314,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,385⚠ High | $1,376⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,479 | $87,758 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1%⚠ High | 6.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.9% ✓ Higher | 7.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 75 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% ✓ Higher | 32.1% |
| High School or Higher | 88.9% | 91.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Juan Unified | Suffolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 49.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.4°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 21.5" ✓ Drier | 51.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 5.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 96,076 ✓ Larger | 94,856 |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.9% | 70.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 23.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.6% ✓ More | 14.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arden-Arcade's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Suffolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Suffolk is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Suffolk leads 14 of 23 categories. Arden-Arcade wins 9 and Suffolk wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arden-Arcade to Suffolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($466,300 vs $314,400 median home), income ($64,479 vs $87,758), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arden-Arcade, CA and Suffolk, VA are about 2,427 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.