Fairfield, CA vs Santa Ana, CA

Fairfield, CA and Santa Ana, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Fairfield scores 153 while Santa Ana scores 154 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 $1,975/month in Santa Ana — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Santa Ana has cheaper rent, Fairfield actually has lower median home values ($592,500 vs $657,800).

Median household income in Fairfield is $102,321 compared to $88,354 in Santa Ana (+15.8%). Fairfield offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfield spend roughly 25.7% of their income on rent, less than the 26.8% in Santa Ana.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (62.1°F vs 64.9°F). Fairfield receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 11.2" in Santa Ana.