Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fairfield, CA
VS
San Mateo, CA
🏆 San Mateo leads 14 of 22 categories
Fairfield
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$98,857
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
119,420 ✓ Larger
San Mateo
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$149,152 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
64 ✓ Safer
Population
104,165
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fairfield, CA
Pros
Homes cost $963k less ($546,200 vs $1,508,900)
Rent averages $924/mo less ($2,047 vs $2,971)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than San Mateo
Cons
Median income trails San Mateo by $50,295/yr
Violent crime (498.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.5% vs 4.7%)
Longer commutes — 32.3 min average each way
San Mateo, CA
Pros
Households earn $50,295 more per year on average
51% less violent crime than Fairfield
More college-educated — 58.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (243.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (4.7%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,508,900
Higher rents — median is $2,971/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Fairfield
Key Differences at a Glance
Fairfield
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 109.2 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Fairfield
Median Home Value
$963k less
$546,200 vs $1,508,900
Fairfield
Summer Heat
17.0°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 72.6°F
San Mateo
Median Income
$50,295
$149,152 vs $98,857/yr
San Mateo
Violent Crime
51% lower
243.2 vs 498.0 per 100k
San Mateo
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fairfield, CA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 109.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $546,200⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,508,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,047⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,971⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $98,857 | $149,152 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.3 min⚠ High | 28.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% | 19.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 111⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 90 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 24.1:1 | 21.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.8% | 58.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.0% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fairfield-Suisun Unified | San Mateo-Foster City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.6°F | 58.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer | 72.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.5" | 19.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 119,420 ✓ Larger | 104,165 |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 51.6% |
| Under 18 | 24.7% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 16.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fairfield's cost of living index is 109.2 vs San Mateo's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Fairfield is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, San Mateo leads 14 of 22 categories. Fairfield wins 8 and San Mateo wins 14. 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 San Mateo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($546,200 vs $1,508,900 median home), income ($98,857 vs $149,152), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fairfield, CA and San Mateo, CA are about 51 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.