Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Seattle

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Seattle, Washington.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 5% more expensive than Seattle. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $4,588/mo in Seattle.

Rent in Fairfax vs Seattle

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Seattle is $226 (11%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Seattle is $237 (12%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Seattle is $357 (15%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Seattle is $628 (22%) higher than Fairfax

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Seattle

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Fairfax is $27,965 (23%) higher than Seattle

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Fairfax is $4,431 (7%) higher than Seattle

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Seattle is $1,091 (2%) higher than Fairfax

Home values in Fairfax vs Seattle

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Seattle is $111,500 (16%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Fairfax is $287 (4%) higher than Seattle

Energy in Fairfax vs Seattle

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Fairfax is $44 (40%) higher than Seattle

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Fairfax is $1 (2%) higher than Seattle

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Fairfax is $540 (29%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Seattle

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Seattle are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Seattle are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Fairfax is 2.2% (42%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Fairfax vs Seattle

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Fairfax is 5.8% higher than Seattle

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Seattle is 1.2% (23%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Seattle is 4.5% (78%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Seattle

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Fairfax is 1.4 min (5%) higher than Seattle

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Fairfax is 6.1% (12%) higher than Seattle

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Seattle is 2.7% (51%) higher than Fairfax

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Seattle

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Fairfax is $220 (5%) higher than Seattle

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Fairfax is $1,046 (16%) higher than Seattle

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Fairfax is $771 (8%) higher than Seattle

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Seattle.

Is Fairfax or Seattle more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington, a difference of about 5%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Seattle?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $2,293/mo in Seattle, Washington. Seattle is approximately $237 (12%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Seattle?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year.

More on Fairfax and Seattle

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Fairfax profile Seattle profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.