Fair Oaks, CA vs Soquel, CA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fair Oaks is 20.6% cheaper than Soquel. With a cost index of 146 vs 184, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fair Oaks to Soquel should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Fair Oaks is $1,797/month compared to $2,293/month in Soquel — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fair Oaks is more affordable at $645,600 median vs $908,500.
Median household income in Fair Oaks is $111,332 compared to $114,991 in Soquel (-3.2%). Soquel does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fair Oaks spend roughly 19.4% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Soquel.
Climate-wise, Fair Oaks is notably warmer with an average of 63.4°F compared to 57.2°F in Soquel. Soquel receives more rainfall at 22.4" per year compared to 19.2" in Fair Oaks.
Income & Cost
Housing
Salary Equivalency Calculator
What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)