Fairfield, CA vs Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Santa Cruz leads in walk score (63 vs 37). Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 32.3 min). Fairfield leads in cost of living index (151 vs 205).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfield, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.9 (#1812) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 120,768 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $605,863 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $98,857 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 32.3 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 13.6 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.0 | D+54.4 |
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 →
D-
60.5 Score
Santa Cruz, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,360,355
Population
61,501
Crime
High
Walk Score
63
Pacific
View Santa Cruz, CA →
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