Cost of Living: Fairfield, CA vs Sparks, NV (2026)

Fairfield

California
167
VS

Sparks

Nevada
126

Fairfield is 33% more expensive than Sparks.

$2,191/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,651/mo ↓ 25%
$102,321/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$86,979/yr ↓ 15%
$592,500 ↑ 30%
Home Value
$455,900 ↓ 23%
$2,226/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,610/mo ↓ 28%
119,985
Population
109,106

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.85%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.53%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fairfield, CA and Sparks, NV, the overall cost of living indices are 167 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $540/month cheaper in Sparks, saving renters about $6,480/year.

Median household income is $15,342/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fairfield is $592,500 compared to $455,900 in Sparks.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fairfield vs Sparks — common questions

Is Fairfield or Sparks cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sparks is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fairfield and Sparks?
Median rent in Fairfield is $2,191/month and in Sparks it's $1,651/month — a difference of $540/month.
Which city has higher income, Fairfield or Sparks?
Median household income is $102,321 in Fairfield and $86,979 in Sparks. Median household income is $15,342/year higher in Fairfield.
How do taxes compare between California and Nevada?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax.
Should I move to Fairfield or Sparks?
It depends on your priorities. Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with median rent of $2,191/mo, while Sparks has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,651/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fairfield details → View Sparks details →

More Comparisons

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