Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Fairfield, CA (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Arlington is 22% more expensive than Fairfield.

$2,275/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↓ 4%
$140,160/yr ↑ 37%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↓ 27%
$864,800 ↑ 46%
Home Value
$592,500 ↓ 31%
$2,414/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↓ 8%
235,463
Population
119,985

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $84/month cheaper in Fairfield, saving renters about $1,008/year.

Median household income is $37,839/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Arlington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Arlington or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fairfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 167 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Fairfield?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $84/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Fairfield?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $37,839/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and California?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and Fairfield

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