F
51%
Overall NAT. AVG.
11%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
139%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Fair Oaks California National
Cost of living151141100
Groceries111111100
Health care111116100
Housing239197100
Transportation113118100
Utilities117119100
Lifestyle & Entertainment113120100
Household Items109111100
Education & Childcare123127100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Fair Oaks, CA

The cost of living in Fair Oaks affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Fair Oaks is 151, which is 51% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Fair Oaks is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Fair Oaks falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Fair Oaks, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 138.7% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Fair Oaks is no exception, where grocery prices are 11.2% above the national average.

Is Fair Oaks Affordable?

Is Fair Oaks an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Fair Oaks is 177.3% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 48.5% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Fair Oaks has a median household income of $130,858, which is 60.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fair Oaks?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Fair Oaks, the groceries index is 11.2% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Fair Oaks, the utilities index is 16.6% higher than the national average.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Fair Oaks, the housing index stands at 138.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Fair Oaks cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Fair Oaks is 7% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Fair Oaks is 51% higher than the national average
  • Fair Oaks housing is 139% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Fair Oaks

See all the best places to live around Fair Oaks

Compare Fair Oaks, CA Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$171,691$14,308$4,006$5,151
      Renters$80,934$6,745$1,888$2,428
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Fair Oaks, CA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Fair Oaks homeowners, is $171,691. This would allow for a maximum of $4,006 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $80,934 which would result in a maximum of $1,888 to be spent on rental costs.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 13.3%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Freeport, CA7111615.6%
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      North Highlands, CA50,17211918.7%
      Parkway, CA16,88212120.6%
      Fair Oaks, CA31,93415151.0%

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      Fair Oaks, CA31,93415151.0%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.