Fairfield 67 Good
Fairfield Livability #314 ranked city in California#10,551 ranked city in the USARanks better than 63% of areas
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Fairfield, CA - The Heart of Solano County

Fairfield, California, known as "The Heart of Solano County," is a vibrant and diverse community located between San Francisco and Sacramento. With its rich agricultural heritage, scenic beauty, and thriving economy, Fairfield offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of suburban charm and urban amenities makes living in Fairfield an attractive option.

Residents of Fairfield enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, trails, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Rockville Hills Regional Park and the Allan Witt Park are popular destinations for hiking, biking, and picnicking. The city also hosts numerous festivals and events, including the Fairfield Tomato Festival and the Solano County Fair.

Fairfield's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. The city is home to major employers such as Travis Air Force Base and the Jelly Belly Candy Company. The presence of these institutions contributes to the city's vibrant economic and cultural environment.

The cost of living in Fairfield is relatively affordable compared to other parts of the Bay Area, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from single-family homes in suburban neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.

Public transportation in Fairfield is well-developed, with access to Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST) buses and the Capitol Corridor train, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Fairfield's climate features hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Fairfield offers a blend of agricultural heritage, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.

Pros and Cons of Living in Fairfield

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • Crime Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

What's it like Living in Fairfield?

Fairfield is a medium-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 121,000 residents. More than a quarter of the residents of Fairfield identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 20% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Fairfield entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 33 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Fairfield could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Fairfield and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.

The livability score in Fairfield is 68 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 68th percentile of all cities across America. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Fairfield has higher than average rankings for the following: employment (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Fairfield ranks poorly for, including: crime (D-) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Fairfield has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Fairfield is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Fairfield come in at $786,136, which is 7.4% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Fairfield, the home price to income ratio is 6.1, which is 20.8% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fairfield

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Compare Fairfield, CA Livability

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      Fairfield transportation information

      Statistic Fairfield California National
      Average one way commute33min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.8%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.0%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.9%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home6.2%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Fairfield, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.