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Fairfax vs Los Angeles

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Los Angeles, California.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 16% more expensive than Los Angeles. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $4,135/mo in Los Angeles.

Rent in Fairfax vs Los Angeles

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio
$2,012
Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Fairfax is $156 (8%) higher than Los Angeles
Fairfax · 1 bedroom
$2,056
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Los Angeles is $25 (1%) higher than Fairfax
Fairfax · 2 bedroom
$2,314
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Los Angeles is $311 (13%) higher than Fairfax
Fairfax · 3 bedroom
$2,893
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Los Angeles is $442 (15%) higher than Fairfax

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Los Angeles

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income
$150,113
Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Fairfax is $62,353 (71%) higher than Los Angeles
Fairfax · Individual earnings
$71,572
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Fairfax is $28,095 (65%) higher than Los Angeles
Fairfax · Per capita
$69,971
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Fairfax is $25,652 (58%) higher than Los Angeles

Home values in Fairfax vs Los Angeles

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value
$699,700
Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Los Angeles is $83,600 (12%) higher than Fairfax
Fairfax · Annual property tax
$7,072
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Fairfax is $1,634 (30%) higher than Los Angeles

Energy in Fairfax vs Los Angeles

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity
$153
Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Los Angeles is $14 (9%) higher than Fairfax
Fairfax · Monthly gas
$49
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Los Angeles is $1 (2%) higher than Fairfax
Fairfax · Annual total
$2,424
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Los Angeles is $180 (7%) higher than Fairfax

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Los Angeles

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Fairfax and Los Angeles are about the same
Fairfax · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Fairfax and Los Angeles are about the same
Fairfax · Uninsured rate
7.4%
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Los Angeles is 1.3% (18%) higher than Fairfax

Taxes in Fairfax vs Los Angeles

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax
5.8%
Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Los Angeles is 7.6% (131%) higher than Fairfax
Fairfax · State sales tax
5.3%
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Los Angeles is 2.0% (37%) higher than Fairfax
Fairfax · Combined sales tax
5.8%
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Los Angeles is 3.1% (54%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Los Angeles

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute
29.5 min
Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Los Angeles is 1.3 min (4%) higher than Fairfax
Fairfax · Drive alone
57.9%
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Los Angeles is 8.5% (15%) higher than Fairfax
Fairfax · Public transit
5.3%
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Fairfax is 1.1% (26%) higher than Los Angeles

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Los Angeles

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person
$4,808
Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Fairfax is $673 (16%) higher than Los Angeles
Fairfax · Couple
$7,470
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Fairfax is $1,136 (18%) higher than Los Angeles
Fairfax · Family
$10,211
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Fairfax is $960 (10%) higher than Los Angeles

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Los Angeles.

Is Fairfax or Los Angeles more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California, a difference of about 16%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Los Angeles?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $2,081/mo in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is approximately $25 (1%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Los Angeles?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year.

More on Fairfax and Los Angeles

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

Fairfax profile Los Angeles 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.