2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Normal, IL vs Fairfax, VA

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Fairfax older or younger than people in Normal?
- The Median Age in Fairfax is 12.6 years older than in Normal.

Are housing costs cheaper in Fairfax or Normal?
- Fairfax housing costs are 211.8% more expensive than Normal housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Fairfax or Normal?
- The average commute for residents of Fairfax is 13.4 minutes longer than it is for residents of Normal.

Things to do in Normal?
Normal, Illinois is a vibrant city located in McLean County, just north of Bloomington-Normal. It is home to Illinois State University and has a bustling downtown area with numerous shops, restaurants, and businesses. Normal is a major hub in the region for healthcare, finance and education opportunities. There are abundant recreational options including natural areas, parks and trails that offer plenty of outdoor activities. A variety of cultural amenities are also available such as theater performances, festivals, art galleries and other entertainment venues that give residents something to do in their spare time. Normal is truly a wonderful place where people can come together to work, play, learn and live!

Things to do in Fairfax?
Fairfax is an incorporated city sitting within Fairfax County, Virginia featuring plenty of things to do during your stay like attending concerts at the historic Sunnyside Botanical Garden suitable for those looking to enjoy some family friendly fun plus nearby Sully Historic Site has stunning views ideal for outdoor activities. Additionally there are several locally owned stores and eateries providing unique items or delicious cuisine great for any budget during their stay here!

 Normal, ILFairfax, VAUnited States
 Population  Unlock23,980329,725,481
 Median Income$58,564  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$209,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.8  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Normal    5 Reviews

While not a perfect town by any stretch of the imagination, I have lived in Normal my entire life and I have to say that there are FAR worse places one could live. The  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

I would like to know more about the quality of education at Illinois State  More

   |    Reply

With relatively low crime, good schools and excellent access to higher education, Normal is a great place to raise a family. The city is trying to update its city center  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Normal

Reviews for Fairfax    28 Reviews

I lived in the area for 17 years through high school until I eventually became a truck driver. Having now seen most states extensively, I wanted to fairly review what  More

   |    Reply

Living in Fairfax, or any of the Northern Virginia suburbs of DC, means dealing with highways that are a Gordian knot of converging lanes and overpasses, making long  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

The Cost of living here is high. Though the standard of living is also high, unless you're making over 50,000/year, it's difficult to both live and build any sort of  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Fairfax


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.