Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs West Palm Beach

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 28% more expensive than West Palm Beach. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach.

Rent in Fairfax vs West Palm Beach

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

West Palm Beach · Studio

$1,639

Fairfax is $373 (23%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

West Palm Beach · 1 bedroom

$1,830

Fairfax is $226 (12%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

West Palm Beach · 2 bedroom

$2,187

Fairfax is $127 (6%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

West Palm Beach · 3 bedroom

$2,856

Fairfax is $37 (1%) higher than West Palm Beach

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs West Palm Beach

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

West Palm Beach · Household income

$81,115

Fairfax is $68,998 (85%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

West Palm Beach · Individual earnings

$42,309

Fairfax is $29,263 (69%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

West Palm Beach · Per capita

$50,998

Fairfax is $18,973 (37%) higher than West Palm Beach

Home values in Fairfax vs West Palm Beach

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

West Palm Beach · Average home value

$407,300

Fairfax is $292,400 (72%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

West Palm Beach · Annual property tax

$3,600

Fairfax is $3,472 (96%) higher than West Palm Beach

Energy in Fairfax vs West Palm Beach

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

West Palm Beach · Monthly electricity

$176

West Palm Beach is $23 (15%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

West Palm Beach · Monthly gas

$21

Fairfax is $28 (133%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

West Palm Beach · Annual total

$2,364

Fairfax is $60 (3%) higher than West Palm Beach

Healthcare in Fairfax vs West Palm Beach

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

West Palm Beach · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and West Palm Beach are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

West Palm Beach · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and West Palm Beach are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

West Palm Beach · Uninsured rate

13.2%

West Palm Beach is 5.8% (78%) higher than Fairfax

Taxes in Fairfax vs West Palm Beach

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

West Palm Beach · State income tax

0.0%

Fairfax is 5.8% higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

West Palm Beach · State sales tax

6.0%

West Palm Beach is 0.7% (13%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

West Palm Beach · Combined sales tax

7.0%

West Palm Beach is 1.3% (22%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs West Palm Beach

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

West Palm Beach · Average commute

26.4 min

Fairfax is 3.1 min (12%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

West Palm Beach · Drive alone

71.4%

West Palm Beach is 13.5% (23%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

West Palm Beach · Public transit

1.4%

Fairfax is 3.9% (279%) higher than West Palm Beach

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs West Palm Beach

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

West Palm Beach · Single person

$3,761

Fairfax is $1,047 (28%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

West Palm Beach · Couple

$5,353

Fairfax is $2,117 (40%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

West Palm Beach · Family

$8,180

Fairfax is $2,031 (25%) higher than West Palm Beach

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and West Palm Beach.

Is Fairfax or West Palm Beach more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida, a difference of about 28%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and West Palm Beach?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,830/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida. Fairfax is approximately $226 (12%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or West Palm Beach?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; West Palm Beach households earn approximately $81,115 per year.

More on Fairfax and West Palm Beach

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

Fairfax profile West Palm Beach 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.