Fairview, CA vs Monterey, CA

Fairview, CA and Monterey, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Fairview scores 197 while Monterey scores 191 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 Fairview is $2,665/month compared to $2,288/month in Monterey — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Monterey has cheaper rent, Fairview actually has lower median home values ($915,100 vs $1,003,300).

Median household income in Fairview is $148,801 compared to $104,110 in Monterey (+42.9%). While Fairview is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairview spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, less than the 26.4% in Monterey.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (59.7°F vs 57.3°F). Monterey receives more rainfall at 16.2" per year compared to 16" in Fairview.