Data status: LocalEconomyData uses public data where available. Specialized expansion scores are directional screening indicators. Read the methodology.
Compare Counties
Select two to four counties and compare expansion scores, workforce indicators, cost signals, education levels, and best-fit industries side by side.
Select 2-4 counties
Component comparison anchor: Fairfax County
The current leader's component scores show why it rises above the selected alternatives.
Talent Depth
Scores the scale of the local labor force and surrounding workforce depth.
19.4 weighted points
Education Level
Measures the county's higher-education signal for specialized and professional hiring.
10.7 weighted points
Labor Availability
Balances labor-force scale with a healthy unemployment rate that suggests neither severe weakness nor extreme tightness.
12.7 weighted points
Industry Fit
Averages the county's sector-specific fit across the industries tracked by LocalEconomyData.
16.5 weighted points
Cost Competitiveness
Uses income and wage-pressure signals inversely so lower-cost counties receive more room in the model.
9.2 weighted points
Growth / Market Access
Captures corridor access, customer proximity, regional growth context, and practical expansion reach.
9.4 weighted points
Strengths
Exceptional federal contracting ecosystem
Exceptional federal contracting ecosystem is a meaningful advantage for companies evaluating Fairfax County.
Large high-skill workforce
Large high-skill workforce is a meaningful advantage for companies evaluating Fairfax County.
Dulles corridor access
Dulles corridor access is a meaningful advantage for companies evaluating Fairfax County.
Strong technology and cybersecurity base
Strong technology and cybersecurity base is a meaningful advantage for companies evaluating Fairfax County.
Watch-outs
High labor and real estate costs
High labor and real estate costs should be validated with current source data and site-specific diligence.
Tight hiring market
Tight hiring market should be validated with current source data and site-specific diligence.
Competition from Arlington and Loudoun
Competition from Arlington and Loudoun should be validated with current source data and site-specific diligence.
Large-county averages hide submarket differences
Large-county averages hide submarket differences should be validated with current source data and site-specific diligence.
| Metric | Montgomery County | Fairfax County | Prince George's County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expansion score | 72 | 78 | 63 |
| Score label | Strong expansion market | Strong expansion market | Selective opportunity market |
| Population | 1,052,000 | 1,148,000 | 967,000 |
| Labor force | 557,371 | 632,823 | 492,828 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 3.2% | 4.9% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 59.0% | 61.0% | 35.0% |
| Median household income | $125,000 | $134,000 | $93,600 |
| Median wage estimate | $104,882 | $84,000 | $59,684 |
| Best industries | Life sciences, Professional services, Healthcare | Federal contracting, Software, Cybersecurity | Logistics, Healthcare, Federal facilities |
Industry-specific comparison
Choose an industry to compare fit scores across the selected counties.
| County | Industry fit score | Top fit |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | 75 | life sciences |
| Fairfax County | 75 | federal contracting |
| Prince George's County | 61 | logistics |
Written recommendation
Among the selected counties, Fairfax County currently has the highest expansion score. Best for talent: Fairfax County. Best for cost: Prince George's County. Best for industry fit: Fairfax County. Best overall: Fairfax County. This recommendation is directional: a company should still compare facility needs, occupation-level hiring, commute patterns, customer access, incentives, and execution risks before narrowing a short list.