Fairfield vs San Antonio

Category / Metric	Fairfield	San Antonio
Financial Overview
Median Income	$100,126	$62,322
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	4.2%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$599,000	$264,900
Price per SqFt	$310	$153
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$1,853	$1,197
Housing Cost Index	135.7	94.2
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	104.6	91.9
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.98	$2.35
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	499.5	798.0
Bachelor's Degree+	26.9%	30.5%
Air Quality (AQI)	35	39

San Antonio vs. Fairfield: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown

By Your Relocation Expert & Data Journalist

So, you’re standing at a crossroads. On one side, you have the sun-drenched, historically rich sprawl of San Antonio, Texas. On the other, the tight-knit, coastal-adjacent community of Fairfield, California. These are two fundamentally different slices of American life. Choosing between them isn't just about picking a zip code; it's about choosing a lifestyle, a financial future, and a daily rhythm.

I’ve crunched the numbers, lived the anecdotes, and dug into the data to give you the unvarnished truth. Let’s settle this once and for all.

The Vibe Check: Culture & Lifestyle

This is where the battle lines are drawn. These cities feel like they’re on different planets.

San Antonio is a sprawling, sun-baked metropolis. It’s a cultural mosaic where the Alamo’s history mingles with vibrant Fiesta celebrations and a world-class River Walk. The vibe is decidedly laid-back but energetic. You’re talking about a city of nearly 1.5 million people where the pace feels slower than Austin or Houston. It’s family-centric, with a strong military presence (think Joint Base San Antonio) and a booming healthcare sector. If you crave a big-city feel with a distinct Texan flavor—think endless barbecues, Tex-Mex, and a calendar packed with festivals—San Antonio is your playground. It’s for the family that wants space, the foodie who loves authenticity, and the history buff who can’t get enough of the past.

Fairfield, nestled in Solano County about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento, is a different beast. With a population of just over 120,000, it’s a classic California suburban town. It’s often seen as a "bedroom community" for commuters heading to the Bay Area, but it has its own identity. The vibe is quiet, practical, and family-oriented. You’re close to Napa Valley’s wine country and the Pacific coastline, but your daily life is defined by tract homes, parks, and local events. It’s for the commuter who needs a manageable base, the young professional who wants Bay Area access without the sticker shock of San Francisco rent, and the family that prioritizes safety and community over nightlife.

Verdict: If you want a true, culturally rich urban experience with a Southern twist, San Antonio wins. If you prefer a smaller, quieter suburban life with access to California’s natural wonders, Fairfield is your spot.

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The Dollar Power: Cost of Living & Salary

This is often the ultimate dealbreaker. Let’s talk cold, hard cash. Where does your paycheck actually go further?

First, the elephant in the room: Taxes. Texas has no state income tax. California has one of the highest in the nation. This single factor dramatically changes your take-home pay. A $100,000 salary in San Antonio leaves you with vastly more in your pocket than the same salary in Fairfield.

Now, let's break down the monthly expenses.

Cost of Living Comparison (Monthly)

Category	San Antonio	Fairfield	Winner (Bang for Buck)
Median Home Price	$264,900	$599,000	San Antonio (by a landslide)
Rent (1BR)	$1,197	$1,853	San Antonio
Housing Index	94.2 (Nat'l Avg = 100)	135.7 (Nat'l Avg = 100)	San Antonio
Utilities	~$170	~$215	San Antonio
Groceries	~12% below nat'l avg	~20% above nat'l avg	San Antonio

Data sources: Provided snapshot, BestPlaces.net, Numbeo. Estimates for Utilities/Groceries are regional averages.

The Purchasing Power Deep Dive:
Let’s say you earn the median income in each city. In San Antonio, the median household income is $62,322. In Fairfield, it’s $100,126. That’s a $37,804 difference in raw salary. But look at the housing cost. The median home in Fairfield is $599,000—over $334,000 more than San Antonio’s $264,900. That extra salary is almost entirely swallowed by housing costs, if not more.

To buy that median home in San Antonio, you’d need to spend roughly 4.25x your annual income. In Fairfield, you’d need to spend nearly 6x your annual income. That’s a massive strain on your budget.

Insight: If you bring a $100,000 salary to San Antonio, you’ll feel like a king. You can afford a nice house, travel, and save. In Fairfield, that same $100,000 salary puts you squarely in the middle-class struggle, with a huge portion of your income going straight to housing. The purchasing power advantage is overwhelmingly in San Antonio’s favor.

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The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent

San Antonio:

• Market: It’s a balanced market, leaning slightly toward buyers. Inventory is decent, and while prices have risen, they haven’t reached the feverish levels of Texas hotspots like Austin. You can find a $250,000-$350,000 home that’s livable, in a decent neighborhood, without a bidding war. Renting is also a viable, affordable option.
• Buyer’s/Seller’s Market: It’s not a frantic seller’s market. You have time to think, negotiate, and inspect.

Fairfield:

• Market: This is a hard seller’s market, especially for buyers. The proximity to the Bay Area job market creates intense demand. The median home price of $599,000 is just a baseline; in desirable neighborhoods, you’re looking at $700,000+. Bidding wars are common, and contingencies (like home inspections) are often waived.
• Buyer’s/Seller’s Market: Sellers hold the power. You need to be pre-approved, aggressive, and ready to move fast.

Verdict: For affordability and a less stressful buying experience, San Antonio is the clear winner. Fairfield is a tough market for anyone without a significant down payment or a high household income.

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The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

Traffic & Commute

• San Antonio: Traffic is real, especially on I-35 and Loop 1604 during rush hour. However, it’s generally more manageable than Houston or Austin. The average commute is around 25-28 minutes. The city is spread out, so a car is non-negotiable.
• Fairfield: Here’s the catch. Fairfield is a commuter town. If you work in San Francisco (approx. 45 miles), your commute can be 1.5 to 2 hours each way by car or train. This is a massive quality-of-life drain. If you work locally, the commute is fine. But for Bay Area commuters, this is a major dealbreaker.

Weather

• San Antonio: Hot. Hot. Summers are long, with average highs in the 90s°F and high humidity that makes it feel even hotter. Winters are mild (highs in the 60s°F). If you dread heat and humidity, this is a problem.
• Fairfield: Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm and dry (highs in the 80s°F), winters are cool and wet (highs in the 50s°F). It gets cold enough for frost, but snow is rare. The weather is far more moderate and pleasant for those who dislike extreme heat.

Crime & Safety

• San Antonio: The violent crime rate is 798.0 per 100,000 people. This is significantly higher than the national average. Like any large city, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Some areas are perfectly safe, while others have higher crime rates. Research is essential.
• Fairfield: The violent crime rate is 499.5 per 100,000. This is lower than San Antonio’s but still above the national average. Fairfield is generally considered safe, especially in its suburban neighborhoods, but it has its issues as with any city.

Verdict: Weather is subjective, but Fairfield wins for those who can’t stand the heat. Commute is a huge negative for Fairfield if you work in the Bay Area. Safety is mixed, but Fairfield has a statistically lower violent crime rate.

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The Final Verdict: Who Wins Where?

After weighing the data and the lifestyle factors, here’s the breakdown.

• Winner for Families: San Antonio. The combination of affordable housing (median home $264,900), a lower cost of living, and a family-friendly culture with great schools and activities makes it a powerhouse for raising kids without going broke. Fairfield’s high housing costs and long commutes can strain a family budget and time.

• Winner for Singles/Young Professionals: It depends.

  • If you work in tech or a field anchored in the Bay Area, Fairfield is a pragmatic choice for a lower-cost entry into the region. The commute is brutal, but it’s a financial necessity for many.
  • If your career is flexible or based in Texas, San Antonio is a no-brainer. You’ll have more disposable income, a vibrant social scene, and a lower barrier to entry for homeownership.

• Winner for Retirees: San Antonio. The warm climate (if you can take the heat), lower cost of living, tax benefits (no state income tax), and slower pace of life are ideal for fixed incomes. Fairfield’s high costs and California taxes can quickly erode retirement savings.

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At a Glance: Pros & Cons

San Antonio

Pros:

• Extremely affordable housing and cost of living.
• No state income tax (huge for take-home pay).
• Rich culture, history, and food scene.
• Large city amenities with a manageable, family-friendly pace.
• Strong job market in healthcare, military, and tourism.

Cons:

• Brutal summer heat and humidity.
• Higher violent crime rate (neighborhood research is critical).
• Car-dependent city; limited public transit.
• Can feel sprawling and lacks the mountain/coastal scenery of other regions.

Fairfield

Pros:

• Moderate climate (no extreme heat or humidity).
• Lower violent crime rate than San Antonio.
• Proximity to San Francisco, Sacramento, Napa Valley, and the Pacific Coast.
• Strong community feel with good local schools.
• More scenic (rolling hills, vineyards nearby).

Cons:

• Extremely high cost of living (housing is $599,000+).
• State income tax and high overall taxes.
• Brutal commute if working in the Bay Area.
• Less cultural diversity and urban excitement compared to SF or San Antonio.
• Lower purchasing power—your salary goes much less far.

The Bottom Line

Your choice boils down to a simple trade-off: Affordability & Culture vs. Climate & Proximity.

Choose San Antonio if your priority is financial freedom, a vibrant urban culture, and you can handle the heat. It’s the city where your paycheck has the most power and where you can build a life without feeling house-poor.

Choose Fairfield if your career is tied to the Bay Area, you prioritize a moderate climate, and you’re willing to pay a premium for a quieter, suburban California life. It’s the pragmatic choice for commuters who need a home base, but it comes at a significant financial cost.

For most people looking to maximize their quality of life without breaking the bank, San Antonio is the overwhelming winner. But if the Bay Area is your professional home, Fairfield might just be the necessary compromise.