Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 7% more expensive than San Diego. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $4,511/mo in San Diego.

Rent in Fairfax vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $133 (7%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $272 (13%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $567 (25%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $959 (33%) higher than Fairfax

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

Fairfax is $47,828 (47%) higher than San Diego

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

Fairfax is $22,020 (44%) higher than San Diego

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

Fairfax is $20,080 (40%) higher than San Diego

Home values in Fairfax vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $91,900 (13%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

Fairfax is $1,530 (28%) higher than San Diego

Energy in Fairfax vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego is $14 (9%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego is $1 (2%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $180 (7%) higher than Fairfax

Healthcare in Fairfax vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and San Diego are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and San Diego are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Fairfax is 0.6% (9%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Fairfax vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 7.6% (131%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 2.0% (37%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 3.1% (54%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Fairfax is 3.6 min (14%) higher than San Diego

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego is 9.7% (17%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Fairfax is 3.1% (141%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

Fairfax is $297 (7%) higher than San Diego

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

Fairfax is $529 (8%) higher than San Diego

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

San Diego · Family

$10,119

Fairfax is $92 (1%) higher than San Diego

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and San Diego.

Is Fairfax or San Diego more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 7%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $272 (13%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or San Diego?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Fairfax and San Diego

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

Fairfax profile San Diego 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.