Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Pontiac

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Pontiac, Michigan.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 42% more expensive than Pontiac. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,384/mo in Pontiac.

Rent in Fairfax vs Pontiac

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Pontiac · Studio

$991

Fairfax is $1,021 (103%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Pontiac · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Fairfax is $966 (89%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Pontiac · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Fairfax is $936 (68%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Pontiac · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Fairfax is $1,205 (71%) higher than Pontiac

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Pontiac

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Pontiac · Household income

$95,296

Fairfax is $54,817 (58%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Pontiac · Individual earnings

$54,878

Fairfax is $16,694 (30%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Pontiac · Per capita

$55,114

Fairfax is $14,857 (27%) higher than Pontiac

Home values in Fairfax vs Pontiac

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Pontiac · Average home value

$320,400

Fairfax is $379,300 (118%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Pontiac · Annual property tax

$4,241

Fairfax is $2,831 (67%) higher than Pontiac

Energy in Fairfax vs Pontiac

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Pontiac · Monthly electricity

$128

Fairfax is $25 (20%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Pontiac · Monthly gas

$63

Pontiac is $14 (29%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Pontiac · Annual total

$2,292

Fairfax is $132 (6%) higher than Pontiac

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Pontiac

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Pontiac · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Pontiac are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Pontiac · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Pontiac are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Pontiac · Uninsured rate

3.9%

Fairfax is 3.5% (90%) higher than Pontiac

Taxes in Fairfax vs Pontiac

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Pontiac · State income tax

4.3%

Fairfax is 1.5% (35%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Pontiac · State sales tax

6.0%

Pontiac is 0.7% (13%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Pontiac · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Pontiac is 0.3% (4%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Pontiac

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Pontiac · Average commute

26.0 min

Fairfax is 3.5 min (13%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Pontiac · Drive alone

73.4%

Pontiac is 15.5% (27%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Pontiac · Public transit

0.3%

Fairfax is 5.0% (1667%) higher than Pontiac

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Pontiac

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Pontiac · Single person

$3,384

Fairfax is $1,424 (42%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Pontiac · Couple

$5,059

Fairfax is $2,411 (48%) higher than Pontiac

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Pontiac · Family

$7,502

Fairfax is $2,709 (36%) higher than Pontiac

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Pontiac.

Is Fairfax or Pontiac more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,384/mo in Pontiac, Michigan, a difference of about 42%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Pontiac?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,090/mo in Pontiac, Michigan. Fairfax is approximately $966 (89%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Pontiac?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Pontiac households earn approximately $95,296 per year.

More on Fairfax and Pontiac

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

Fairfax profile Pontiac 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.