Firstly why Fairfield, California?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Fairfield
- State: California
- Population: 115,174 people
- Fairfield’s quick summary would be Home to the beautiful Jelly Belly Factory and the annual Fairfield Art & Wine Festival.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 7,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 7,000 annually
- Net Migration: 0 no real change annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 600
- Number of Homeless people: 500
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers affordability and access to nearby San Francisco appealing to families
Perk #1: Fairfield Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 55%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $70,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Fairfield is $77,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $7000 in positive cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & Fairfield’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 140 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $4,299
- Property Tax %: 1.18%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,850
- Rent for an average house: $2,900
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Gateway
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Fairfield, Vacaville, Suisun-City, Vallejo, and probably could include Napa
- Avg. Age of Homes in Fairfield: 54 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.9%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & Fairfield’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Fairfield are Healthcare, Retail, and Manufacturing
- Fairfield Job Scene: steady job market centered on healthcare and manufacturing
- The General Tech Scene: developing tech landscape with focus on environmental and utility tech , ,
- Fairfield Resident’s pay $1,300 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Fairfield: 8.25%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 120 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 5
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Fairfield
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $140 on average per person
- Freeway Access: I-80 runs through Fairfield linking it to Northern California
- Commute Time: 24 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: evening delays on the freeway exits
- Transportation Score: 21 out of 100 described as Minimal Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Fairfield: 67,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.6
- No. of Car Washes: 5 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Fairfield: dmv.ca.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 60 of 100
- Local Airport: Travis Air Force Base
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: Fairfield’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
- General Weather in Fairfield is best described as has hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and mild winters with occasional rainfall
- Winter Weather in Fairfield i’d describe as cool with occasional rain
- Spring Weather in Fairfield can be described as mild with some rain
- Summer’s in Fairfield are mostly hot and dry
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Fairfield is usually mild and clear
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 21 days in summer
- Days in a row in Fairfield below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 19 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality affected by nearby industrial areas
- Fairfield Winter Air average air quality with some industrial emissions
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: Fairfield Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Fairfield 3
- While the number of trade schools inside Fairfields’s city limits are 2
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Fairfield Civic Center Library
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & Fairfield Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 10 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Fairfield only Doctors is about 70
- Local Hospitals here is 3
- Full-time Fairfield only Police Officers is about 180
- Crime Rate Index: 35/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- Fairfield’s Monthly utility bill average is $160
- Fairfield’s Monthly Gym Membership: $62
- Fairfield’s Water Quality Score: 69
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Fairfield
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 6 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: diverse suburban community with parks and family activities
- You might enjoy shows at the Fairfield Community Center
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Fairfield features small-town charm with local bars and eateries that create a warm community atmosphere
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Fairfield
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers a blend of family restaurants and chain options
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 30 scattered around Fairfield
- The Popular Sports Team is Fairfield High School
- Top Level Political Climate in Fairfield can be described as moderately diverse with a mix of progressive and conservative politics
- Fairfield’s Longer standing religious establishment is Bethel Christian Center
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: Fairfield Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Fairfield has 33 Parks?
- Miller-Karx Park is Fairfield’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Fairfield Farmers Market normally open Wednesday 3pm-7pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, fishing, and picnicking
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: Fairfield Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Fairfield can be described as moderate suburban life with family-oriented amenities
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Fairfield hiking trails local sports picnics at parks
- The Cities people commute to from Fairfield are Vallejo 10 miles away Napa 22 miles away Vacaville 25 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about Fairfield or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: evening delays on the freeway exits. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Fairfield’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Gateway is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Fairfield are Vallejo 10 miles away Napa 22 miles away Vacaville 25 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 35 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Fairfield has 0 days in a row below freezing and 21 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Fairfield people have an average (positive or negative) $7000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
500 homeless people living in Fairfield. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general moderately diverse with a mix of progressive and conservative politics could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Fairfield.
Retiree & Senior Life in Fairfield
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might benefit from tax credits focused on lowering the tax burden
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Fairview at San Jose
- Fairfield Senior Center features activities health screenings and educational programs for seniors
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to Fairfield, California?
If Fairfield, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Fairfield, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!