Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fairfield, CA
VS
Peoria, AZ
🏆 Peoria leads 20 of 22 categories
Fairfield
California
2
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$98,857 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
119,420
Peoria
Arizona
20
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$86,759
Violent Crime Index
67 ✓ Safer
Population
191,292 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fairfield, CA
Pros
Households earn $12,098 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 105°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $546,200
Violent crime (498.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $2,047/mo
Higher unemployment (5.5% vs 3.9%)
Peoria, AZ
Pros
49% less violent crime than Fairfield
Homes cost $163k less ($383,600 vs $546,200)
Rent averages $409/mo less ($1,638 vs $2,047)
Violent crime is well below the national average (254.7 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (3.9%)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Fairfield by $12,098/yr
Hot summers — July highs average 105°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Fairfield
Median Income
$12,098
$98,857 vs $86,759/yr
Peoria
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 100.7 vs 109.2 (100 = US avg)
Peoria
Violent Crime
49% lower
254.7 vs 498.0 per 100k
Peoria
Median Home Value
$163k less
$383,600 vs $546,200
Peoria
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
3.9% vs 5.5% unemployment
Peoria
Summer Heat
15.0°F warmer
July avg high 104.6°F vs 89.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fairfield, CA | Peoria, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 109.2⚠ High | 100.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $546,200⚠ High | $383,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,047⚠ High | $1,638⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $98,857 ✓ Higher | $86,759 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High | 3.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.3 min⚠ High | 29.2 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% | 17.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 111⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High | 67 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 | 57 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 24.1:1 | 18.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.8% | 34.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.0% | 92.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fairfield-Suisun Unified | Peoria Unified School District (4237) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.6°F | 65.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F | 104.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.5" | 10.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 119,420 | 191,292 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 41.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 75.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.7% ✓ More | 22.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 18.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fairfield's cost of living index is 109.2 vs Peoria's 100.7 (US average = 100).
Peoria is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Peoria leads 20 of 22 categories. Fairfield wins 2 and Peoria wins 20. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fairfield to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($546,200 vs $383,600 median home), income ($98,857 vs $86,759), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fairfield, CA and Peoria, AZ are about 625 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.