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

Irving

Texas
102
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Irving is 39% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,517/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 44%
$79,641/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 28%
$287,300 ↓ 52%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 106%
$1,521/mo ↓ 32%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 46%
255,036
Population
119,985

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irving, TX and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 102 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $674/month cheaper in Irving, saving renters about $8,088/year.

Median household income is $22,680/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irving is $287,300 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irving vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Irving or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Irving is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irving and Fairfield?
Median rent in Irving is $1,517/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $674/month.
Which city has higher income, Irving or Fairfield?
Median household income is $79,641 in Irving and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $22,680/year higher in Fairfield.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Irving or Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Irving has a cost index of 102 with median rent of $1,517/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 Irving details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

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