Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fairfield, CA
VS
Vallejo, CA
🏆 Fairfield leads 12 of 21 categories
Fairfield
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$98,857 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
119,420
Vallejo
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,112
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
125,132 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fairfield, CA
Pros
33% less violent crime than Vallejo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.5%)
Households earn $12,745 more per year on average
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (498.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $2,047/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $546,200
Vallejo, CA
Pros
Rent averages $153/mo less ($1,894 vs $2,047)
Homes cost $31k less ($515,500 vs $546,200)
Cons
Violent crime (739.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Fairfield by $12,745/yr
Property crime (3990.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.0% vs 5.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fairfield
Median Income
$12,745
$98,857 vs $86,112/yr
Fairfield
Violent Crime
33% lower
498.0 vs 739.8 per 100k
Fairfield
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.5% vs 7.0% unemployment
Fairfield
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 85.4°F
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 109.2 on the COL index
Vallejo
Median Home Value
$31k less
$515,500 vs $546,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fairfield, CA | Vallejo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 109.2⚠ High | 109.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $546,200⚠ High | $515,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,047⚠ High | $1,894⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $98,857 ✓ Higher | $86,112 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 36.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% ✓ Higher | 8.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 24.1:1 | 22.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.8% ✓ Higher | 27.5% |
| High School or Higher | 87.0% | 87.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fairfield-Suisun Unified | Vallejo City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.6°F | 57.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer | 85.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.5" | 21.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 119,420 | 125,132 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 58.7% |
| Under 18 | 24.7% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 17.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fairfield's cost of living index is 109.2 vs Vallejo's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Both have a similar overall cost of living.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Fairfield leads 12 of 21 categories. Fairfield wins 12 and Vallejo wins 9. 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 Vallejo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($546,200 vs $515,500 median home), income ($98,857 vs $86,112), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fairfield, CA and Vallejo, CA are about 16 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.