Fairfield 69 Good
Fairfield Livability #408 ranked city in Illinois#8,419 ranked city in the USARanks better than 71% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Fairfield

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • 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
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • 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.

  • 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 small city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 5,038 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Fairfield is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Fairfield. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Fairfield could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to search. 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. Finding the best places to live in Fairfield and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, commute, education and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Fairfield has received a livability score of 72/100. This score is ranked in the 81st percentile when compared to all other cities. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Fairfield ranks well for crime (B-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) Fairfield does not fare well for the following: amenities (F) and education (D). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The Fairfield unemployment rate of 1.8% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Fairfield excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Fairfield. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Fairfield are affordable. The median home price for Fairfield homes is $140,293, which is 54.5% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Fairfield, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 37.1% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fairfield

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Fairfield?

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Compare Fairfield, IL Livability

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      Fairfield transportation information

      Statistic Fairfield Illinois National
      Average one way commute20min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.6%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.5%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home3.5%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Fairfield, IL 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.