Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Riverside

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Riverside, California.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 22% more expensive than Riverside. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,947/mo in Riverside.

Rent in Fairfax vs Riverside

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

Fairfax is $236 (13%) higher than Riverside

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

Fairfax is $204 (11%) higher than Riverside

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

Fairfax is $8 (0%) higher than Riverside

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

Riverside is $186 (6%) higher than Fairfax

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Riverside

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

Fairfax is $60,441 (67%) higher than Riverside

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

Fairfax is $29,441 (70%) higher than Riverside

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

Fairfax is $32,809 (88%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Fairfax vs Riverside

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

Fairfax is $189,400 (37%) higher than Riverside

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

Fairfax is $2,883 (69%) higher than Riverside

Energy in Fairfax vs Riverside

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside is $14 (9%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

Riverside is $1 (2%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside is $180 (7%) higher than Fairfax

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Riverside

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Riverside are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Riverside are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

Riverside is 0.6% (8%) higher than Fairfax

Taxes in Fairfax vs Riverside

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside is 7.6% (131%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside is 2.0% (37%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside is 3.1% (54%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Riverside

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

Riverside is 4.3 min (15%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

Riverside is 16.7% (29%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

Fairfax is 4.6% (657%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Riverside

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

Fairfax is $861 (22%) higher than Riverside

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

Fairfax is $1,338 (22%) higher than Riverside

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Riverside · Family

$9,112

Fairfax is $1,099 (12%) higher than Riverside

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Riverside.

Is Fairfax or Riverside more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,947/mo in Riverside, California, a difference of about 22%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Riverside?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,852/mo in Riverside, California. Fairfax is approximately $204 (11%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Riverside?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year.

More on Fairfax and Riverside

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

Fairfax profile Riverside 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.