Cost of Living: Fairfield, CA vs Murrieta, CA (2026)

Fairfield

California
167
VS

Murrieta

California
175

Fairfield is 5% cheaper than Murrieta.

$2,191/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↑ 6%
$102,321/yr ↓ 7%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↑ 7%
$592,500 ↓ 2%
Home Value
$606,900 ↑ 2%
$2,226/mo ↓ 6%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↑ 7%
119,985
Population
111,621

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fairfield, CA and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 167 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $139/month cheaper in Fairfield, saving renters about $1,668/year.

Median household income is $7,459/year higher in Murrieta. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fairfield is $592,500 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fairfield vs Murrieta — common questions

Is Fairfield or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fairfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 167 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fairfield and Murrieta?
Median rent in Fairfield is $2,191/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $139/month.
Which city has higher income, Fairfield or Murrieta?
Median household income is $102,321 in Fairfield and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $7,459/year higher in Murrieta.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Fairfield or Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with median rent of $2,191/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fairfield details → View Murrieta details →

More Comparisons

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