Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Sacramento

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

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 23% more expensive than Sacramento. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,910/mo in Sacramento.

Rent in Fairfax vs Sacramento

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

Fairfax is $333 (20%) higher than Sacramento

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

Fairfax is $279 (16%) higher than Sacramento

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

Fairfax is $108 (5%) higher than Sacramento

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

Sacramento is $99 (3%) higher than Fairfax

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Sacramento

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

Fairfax is $61,389 (69%) higher than Sacramento

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

Fairfax is $24,358 (52%) higher than Sacramento

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

Fairfax is $27,982 (67%) higher than Sacramento

Home values in Fairfax vs Sacramento

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

Fairfax is $200,800 (40%) higher than Sacramento

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

Fairfax is $3,304 (88%) higher than Sacramento

Energy in Fairfax vs Sacramento

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

Sacramento is $14 (9%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

Sacramento is $1 (2%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

Sacramento is $180 (7%) higher than Fairfax

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Sacramento

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Sacramento are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Sacramento are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

Fairfax is 2.3% (45%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Fairfax vs Sacramento

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

Sacramento is 7.6% (131%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

Sacramento is 2.0% (37%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Sacramento is 3.1% (54%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Sacramento

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

Fairfax is 1.8 min (6%) higher than Sacramento

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

Sacramento is 9.7% (17%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

Fairfax is 3.8% (253%) higher than Sacramento

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Sacramento

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

Fairfax is $898 (23%) higher than Sacramento

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

Fairfax is $1,531 (26%) higher than Sacramento

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

Fairfax is $1,279 (14%) higher than Sacramento

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Sacramento.

Is Fairfax or Sacramento more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California, a difference of about 23%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Sacramento?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,777/mo in Sacramento, California. Fairfax is approximately $279 (16%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Sacramento?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year.

More on Fairfax and Sacramento

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

Fairfax profile Sacramento 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.