Cost of Living: Fairfield, CA vs Richardson, TX (2026)

Fairfield

California
167
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

Fairfield is 30% more expensive than Richardson.

$2,191/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↓ 17%
$102,321/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↓ 6%
$592,500 ↑ 46%
Home Value
$405,600 ↓ 32%
$2,226/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↓ 19%
119,985
Population
118,269

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fairfield, CA and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 167 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $366/month cheaper in Richardson, saving renters about $4,392/year.

Median household income is $6,064/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fairfield is $592,500 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Richardson residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fairfield vs Richardson — common questions

Is Fairfield or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Richardson is cheaper to live in with an index of 128 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fairfield and Richardson?
Median rent in Fairfield is $2,191/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $366/month.
Which city has higher income, Fairfield or Richardson?
Median household income is $102,321 in Fairfield and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $6,064/year higher in Fairfield.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fairfield or Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with median rent of $2,191/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fairfield details → View Richardson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fairfield and Richardson

Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill Richardson vs. Billings Richardson vs. Cambridge Richardson vs. Wilmington Richardson vs. North Charleston Richardson vs. Spring Hill Richardson vs. Clearwater