Fairfield, CA vs Hollister, CA

Fairfield, CA and Hollister, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Fairfield scores 153 while Hollister scores 151 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfield is $2,191/month compared to $1,846/month in Hollister — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hollister has cheaper rent, Fairfield actually has lower median home values ($592,500 vs $679,300).

Median household income in Fairfield is $102,321 compared to $101,979 in Hollister (+0.3%). Fairfield 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 Fairfield spend roughly 25.7% of their income on rent, more than the 21.7% in Hollister.

Climate-wise, Fairfield is notably warmer with an average of 62.1°F compared to 58.1°F in Hollister. Fairfield receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 12.6" in Hollister.