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

Fullerton

California
195
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Fullerton is 17% more expensive than Fairfield.

$2,124/mo ↓ 3%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 3%
$104,219/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↓ 2%
$859,600 ↑ 45%
Home Value
$592,500 ↓ 31%
$2,251/mo ↑ 1%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↓ 1%
141,278
Population
119,985

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fullerton, CA and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $67/month cheaper in Fullerton, saving renters about $804/year.

Median household income is $1,898/year higher in Fullerton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fullerton is $859,600 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fullerton vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Fullerton or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fairfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 167 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fullerton and Fairfield?
Median rent in Fullerton is $2,124/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $67/month.
Which city has higher income, Fullerton or Fairfield?
Median household income is $104,219 in Fullerton and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $1,898/year higher in Fullerton.
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 Fullerton or Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $2,124/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 Fullerton details → View Fairfield details →

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