Fairfield, CA vs Riverside, CA

Riverside is moderately more affordable than Fairfield, with a 11.9% lower cost of living index. Fairfield scores 153 compared to 137 for Riverside, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fairfield can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfield is $2,191/month compared to $1,812/month in Riverside — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Riverside is more affordable at $542,100 median vs $592,500.

Median household income in Fairfield is $102,321 compared to $88,575 in Riverside (+15.5%). While Fairfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfield spend roughly 25.7% of their income on rent, more than the 24.5% in Riverside.

Climate-wise, Riverside is notably warmer with an average of 66.2°F compared to 62.1°F in Fairfield. Fairfield receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 9.4" in Riverside.