Fairfax, CA vs Mather, CA

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, CA and Mather, CA is dramatic. Fairfax is 30.2% cheaper than Mather, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 100 while Mather sits at 143, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfax is $1,359/month compared to $1,904/month in Mather — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfax is more affordable at $277,800 median vs $573,800.

Median household income in Fairfax is $50,326 compared to $140,941 in Mather (-64.3%). While Mather 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 32.4% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in Mather. The Mather ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.2°F vs 63.4°F). Mather receives more rainfall at 19.2" per year compared to 6.4" in Fairfax.