Fairfax, CA vs La Selva Beach, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fairfax is 17% cheaper than La Selva Beach. With a cost index of 202 vs 244, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fairfax to La Selva Beach should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfax is $2,281/month compared to $3,501/month in La Selva Beach — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfax is more affordable at $1,121,500 median vs $1,195,100.

Median household income in Fairfax is $131,875 compared to $159,094 in La Selva Beach (-17.1%). While La Selva Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfax spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, less than the 26.4% in La Selva Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (57.7°F vs 57.2°F). Fairfax receives more rainfall at 22.9" per year compared to 22.4" in La Selva Beach.