Fairfield, CA vs Santa Monica, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Fairfield
62.9
#1812 nationally
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Santa Monica leads in walk score (83 vs 37). Fairfield leads in cost of living index (151 vs 273). Fairfield leads in crime level (13.6 vs 21.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfield, CA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.9 (#1812) | 59.6 (#1949) |
| Population | 120,768 | 89,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $605,863 | $1,685,560 |
| Median Household Income | $98,857 | $106,797 |
| Average Commute | 32.3 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 13.6 | 21.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 273 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.0 | D+32.9 |
D-
62.9 Score
Fairfield, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$605,863
Population
120,768
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
37
Pacific
View Fairfield, CA →
F
59.6 Score
Santa Monica, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,685,560
Population
89,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
83
Pacific
View Santa Monica, CA →
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