2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Darien, IL vs Fairfield, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Fairfield or is it cheaper to live in Darien?
- Fairfield is 24.2% more expensive than Darien.

Which city has more affordable housing, Fairfield or Darien?
- Fairfield housing costs are 59.4% more expensive than Darien housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Darien or is Health Care more affordable in Fairfield.
- Health related expenses are 19.0% more in Fairfield.
 Darien, ILFairfield, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock134.3100
 Food & Groceries99.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock112.3100
 Housing119.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$608,300$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock116.7100
 Miscellaneous141.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Darien    3 Reviews

2/13/2021 I've lived in the Darien Illinois area for 35 years now. It's fine. Traffic is only nasty during the A.M. and PM rush hours. Thankfully, PM rush over is  More

   |    Reply

THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN DARIEN IS GOOD - MIDDLE CLASS. IT'S A QUIET COMMUNITY WITH GOOD SCHOOL AND A LOT OF ACTIVITES. WE'RE CLOSE ENOUGH TO CHICAGO - 30 MINUTE DRIVE -  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

Every medical specialty is available within  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Darien

Reviews for Fairfield    10 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

I've lived here for 4 years. On the up side, housing is affordable. The downside, there is nothing to do here. The city lacks community events and an a nice downtown. We  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

I am finding out the cost of living here in Fairfield is way too high for my retirement. I am looking for a place where the cost of living is in line with my retirement  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

good  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Fairfield


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.