2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Fairfax, VA vs Petaluma, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Petaluma older or younger than people in Fairfax?
- The Median Age in Petaluma is 5.1 years older than in Fairfax.

Are housing costs cheaper in Petaluma or Fairfax?
- Petaluma housing costs are 28.3% more expensive than Fairfax housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Petaluma or Fairfax?
- The average commute for residents of Petaluma is 1.0 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Fairfax.

Things to do in Fairfax?
Fairfax is an incorporated city sitting within Fairfax County, Virginia featuring plenty of things to do during your stay like attending concerts at the historic Sunnyside Botanical Garden suitable for those looking to enjoy some family friendly fun plus nearby Sully Historic Site has stunning views ideal for outdoor activities. Additionally there are several locally owned stores and eateries providing unique items or delicious cuisine great for any budget during their stay here!

Things to do in Petaluma?
Petaluma, California is a charming city located in Sonoma County, approximately 52 miles north of San Francisco. The city was first settled by Europeans in the 1850s and is known today for its historic downtown area full of antique stores, restaurants and specialty shops. Petaluma has something for everyone with its unique shops, farms, vineyards, ranches, community events and scenic hikes. It has become an increasingly popular destination due to its laid-back atmosphere and close proximity to wine country and the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation or a romantic getaway, Petaluma awaits!

 Fairfax, VAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock60,050329,725,481
 Median Income$118,492  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock42.838.4
 Avg. Home Price$654,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time31.15  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Fairfax    28 Reviews

I lived in the area for 17 years through high school until I eventually became a truck driver. Having now seen most states extensively, I wanted to fairly review what  More

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Living in Fairfax, or any of the Northern Virginia suburbs of DC, means dealing with highways that are a Gordian knot of converging lanes and overpasses, making long  More

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Over 10 years ago

The Cost of living here is high. Though the standard of living is also high, unless you're making over 50,000/year, it's difficult to both live and build any sort of  More

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Reviews for Petaluma    16 Reviews

I agree with the low star reviews. Been here for 25 years, raised a family and seen everything turn to the left and worse. Weather is glorious, love the old Victorians  More

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We’ve lived here for 3 years and we love it. It has taken some time to grow on us. We moved from SF where we had lived over 15 years, we were not used to one year leases  More

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I’ve lived here a couple of years (after living in others parts of the Bay Area for 15+ years) and I love it! Great neighborhoods, friendly folks, good schools with  More

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