Living in Fairfield, CA
Fairfield is the 246th-largest city in the US, home to about 122,000 people in 2025. It has grown 2.1% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (108.5 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 122,489+2.1% since 2020
- Median home value
- $624,3006.1 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,266/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $101,895median, per year
- Price level
- 108.5US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 57° / 90°lows 40° / 58°
- Average commute
- 31 min12% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Solano County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 13 ft
Metro area: Vallejo, CA
Cost of living in Fairfield
The median home in Fairfield is worth $624,300 and the median household earns $101,895 a year, so a typical home costs about 6.1 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,266 a month, about 27% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Vallejo, CA metro area at 108.5, with housing at 142.0 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $81,400 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Fairfield?
Fairfield weather
Average highs run from 57°F in January to 90°F in July, and January nights average 40°F. It gets 24 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 60 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to June and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Fairfield
People and work
The median resident is 36.9 years old, and 27% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 61% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 31 minutes; 12% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.9302nd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 27%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 61%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,94541.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.8%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 10.2%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1986median year
Who moves to Fairfield, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Las Vegas (Clark County) and San Diego (San Diego County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Solano County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, coastal flooding, earthquake, drought.
Home prices
-0.7% in a year
Up 14% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Vallejo, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
99% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Vallejo-Fairfield, CA area (356 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Fairfield
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of California-Berkeley 30 miles
- University of California-Davis 24 miles
- Diablo Valley College 21 miles
- Solano Community College 5 miles
- Los Medanos College 20 miles
- Laney College 35 miles
- Contra Costa College 26 miles
- Berkeley City College 30 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Fairfield
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento International Airport SMF | 38 mi | 6,679,426 |
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport OAK | 39 mi | 5,292,736 |
| Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport STS | 45 mi | 382,556 |
| San Francisco International Airport SFO | 48 mi | 25,078,968 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Fairfield
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Davis | 24 mi | 32,253 | $14,318 | 86% |
| Diablo Valley College | 21 mi | 15,358 | $710 | 55% |
| Solano Community College | 5 mi | 8,061 | $2,905 | n/a |
| Los Medanos College | 20 mi | 7,320 | $25,231 | 46% |
| Napa Valley College | 13 mi | 3,813 | $3,152 | 35% |
| Cal Poly Maritime Academy | 17 mi | 804 | $17,793 | 58% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Fairfield
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 15, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 1 and the first frost comes around December 14.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Fairfield, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Fairfield.
Wildfire smoke in Fairfield
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Fairfield on about 50 days a year, including about 13 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Fairfield
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 38,757 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Fairfield
Downtown Fairfield is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District | K to 12 | 20,359 | 31 | 24.1 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Napa Valley Unified School District (16,103 students), Vacaville Unified School District (12,717 students), Travis Unified School District (5,405 students), Benicia Unified School District (4,346 students), River Delta Joint Unified School District (1,714 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Fairfield's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Fairfield's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Murrieta, CA70% matchCompare
- Temecula, CA69% matchCompare
- Lake Elsinore, CA66% matchCompare
- Moreno Valley, CA66% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Fairfield
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort 110 miles
- Bear Valley Mountain Resort 111 miles
- Sierra-at-Tahoe 112 miles
- Dodge Ridge Ski Area 113 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Fairfield
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Clean air: 353 of 356 days in 2025 had good air quality in the metro (EPA).
Cons
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 8% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
Fairfield report card from locals
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Cities near Fairfield
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vacaville, CA | 9 mi | 103,850 | $620,900 | 108.5 | Compare |
| Napa, CA | 14 mi | 76,562 | $856,400 | 112.6 | Compare |
| Vallejo, CA | 16 mi | 123,287 | $589,500 | 108.5 | Compare |
| Pittsburg, CA | 19 mi | 77,542 | $597,900 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Concord, CA | 20 mi | 123,261 | $797,600 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Antioch, CA | 24 mi | 118,958 | $629,700 | 115.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Fairfield with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairfield a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes, long commutes. Compare Fairfield side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Fairfield?
The Census Bureau estimates Fairfield had 122,489 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 119,917 in April 2020 (+2.1%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Fairfield?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $81,400 in the Fairfield area. The median household here earns $101,895.
When is the best time to visit Fairfield?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to June and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 90°F and January 57°F for daytime highs.
What county is Fairfield in?
Fairfield is in Solano County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Fairfield in?
Fairfield is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Fairfield?
Close to sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Fairfield. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Vallejo, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Fairfield, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.