CountyScore

Fairfax city

Virginia · VA

#123 in Virginia
60.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Fairfax city, Virginia

Fairfax city trades affordability for income

Fairfax city's composite score of 51.8 slightly exceeds the national median of 50.0 but falls significantly below Virginia's state average of 70.3. High incomes (median $132,774) are offset by expensive housing ($2,122/month rent, $677,400 median home value) and higher tax burden (0.944% rate).

Well below Virginia's livability average

Fairfax city scores 51.8 against the state average of 70.3, placing it 26% below the commonwealth's typical county. The shortfall reflects the cost-of-living premium in Northern Virginia's affluent suburban corridor.

Exceptional income and professional opportunities

Fairfax city boasts an income score of 70.0 with a median household income of $132,774, attracting high-earning professionals and established families. The city's location within the Northern Virginia job corridor provides access to federal, technology, and professional sector employment.

Housing costs dramatically exceed affordability

The cost score of just 29.4 reflects some of the region's highest housing prices: $2,122/month rent and median home values of $677,400. These expenses consume significantly more household budget than in most U.S. counties, creating affordability strain even for six-figure earners.

For high-earners willing to pay premium

Fairfax city suits dual-income professional families earning $130,000+ annually who prioritize proximity to federal/tech employment and suburban amenities over affordability. It's not a value destination but rather a premium market for those whose incomes justify Northern Virginia housing costs.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax75.7Cost29.4SafetyComing SoonHealth73.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome70Risk94.8WaterComing Soon
🏛75.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠29.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼70
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡94.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Fairfax city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kings County
California
60.9
Median income: $68,750
Marion County
Indiana
60.9
Median income: $63,450
Montgomery County
Kansas
60.9
Median income: $53,242
Bristol County
Massachusetts
60.9
Median income: $84,198
Fulton County
New York
60.9
Median income: $62,615

Deep Dives

Fairfax city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Fairfax city

via TaxByCounty

Fairfax city's rates rank among highest

Fairfax city's effective tax rate of 0.944% slightly exceeds the national median of 0.92%, placing it in roughly the 55th percentile nationally. The median tax of $6,392 is more than double the national median of $2,690, driven by both a high rate and expensive homes worth $677,400 on average.

Highest rate in Virginia

Fairfax city's 0.944% rate significantly exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671%, making it one of the state's highest-tax jurisdictions. The median tax of $6,392 is more than three times the state median of $1,960, reflecting both the elevated rate and home values nearly 2.5 times the state average.

More expensive than nearby Fairfax County

Fairfax city's 0.944% rate is slightly lower than Fairfax County's 1.011%, but its homes are valued similarly (city: $677,400 vs. county: $699,700). Falls Church city remains the area's most expensive jurisdiction at 0.995% and median home value of $1,005,400.

What a typical home costs in taxes

A median-priced home worth $677,400 in Fairfax city carries an annual tax bill of roughly $6,392. That translates to about $533 per month—more than eight times what a Dickenson County homeowner pays annually.

Homeowners can challenge assessments

With high-value properties, even small assessment errors can cost thousands in annual taxes, making appeals worth pursuing in Fairfax city. If your $677,400 home is overvalued, a successful challenge could reduce your $6,392 tax bill significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fairfax city

via CostByCounty

Fairfax city's wealth shields against housing costs

Despite sky-high absolute housing costs, Fairfax city's rent-to-income ratio of 19.2% slightly exceeds but remains competitive with the national average of 18.6%. Median household income of $132,774 nearly doubles the national average, allowing residents to absorb $2,122 monthly rent and $2,611 owner costs comfortably. This affluent market demonstrates how high incomes can justify and sustain premium housing prices.

Fairfax city: expensive but efficiently priced

Fairfax city's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Virginia's state average of 18.6%, yet the city ranks among the wealthiest markets statewide. The $2,122 median rent nearly doubles Virginia's statewide average of $1,140, but strong local incomes ($132,774) keep the ratio manageable. This represents Virginia's premium market: high costs sustained by high earnings.

Fairfax city outearns but outprices all peers

Fairfax city's $132,774 median income leads this comparison group decisively, as do its $2,122 rent and $677k home values. At 19.2%, Fairfax city's rent-to-income ratio is lower than Emporia (25.8%) and Danville (22.7%), and roughly tied with Fairfax County and Falls Church. Fairfax city occupies the premium tier of Northern Virginia's housing market.

Premium housing for premium incomes

Fairfax city renters spend $2,122 monthly on $132,774 annual income—19.2% of gross earnings, leaving substantial discretionary income. Homeowners allocate $2,611 monthly to median-value homes of $677,400, consuming 23.6% of income—higher than renters but still reasonable for the wealthy market. Both housing options here serve affluent households for whom absolute costs matter less than ratio efficiency.

Fairfax city for high-earning relocators

This city demands serious income qualification, with median homes at $677k and rents at $2,122 monthly, but for households earning $130k+, the math works efficiently. Professionals relocating to Northern Virginia for high-wage positions will find Fairfax city's premium amenities and schools worth the premium cost. Those without comparable incomes should explore more affordable peer communities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fairfax city

via IncomeByCounty

Fairfax city ranks among nation's highest earners

Fairfax city's median household income of $132,774 is 78% higher than the national median of $74,755. This exceptional earning power places Fairfax city in America's most affluent communities.

Fairfax city leads Virginia income rankings

At $132,774, Fairfax city's median household income exceeds Virginia's state average of $74,957 by more than 77%. The city's per capita income of $62,800 far surpasses the state average of $39,155.

Fairfax city outearns all regional comparisons

Fairfax city's $132,774 median income dwarfs neighboring communities: Dinwiddie ($83,898), Essex ($56,481), and all lower-income counties. Only Falls Church city ($154,734) exceeds Fairfax in the region's income hierarchy.

Exceptional income supports substantial wealth building

Fairfax city's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio and median home value of $677,400 reflect the area's premium real estate market. Strong household incomes comfortably support both property ownership and aggressive savings and investment strategies.

Maximize tax-advantaged investment opportunities

With substantial income and housing costs well-managed, Fairfax residents can aggressively fund retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and education savings. Consider working with a financial advisor to optimize wealth-building strategies tailored to your income level.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fairfax city

via HealthByCounty

Healthier than national average

Fairfax city residents live to 76.1 years—nearly matching the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Only 14.5% report poor or fair health, well below the national 18%, indicating strong health outcomes and preventive care engagement.

Above-average Virginia health outcomes

Fairfax city's 76.1-year life expectancy exceeds Virginia's 75.1-year average by one full year, placing it in the upper tier of state health rankings. The city's 14.5% poor/fair health rate is among the state's lowest, reflecting quality healthcare access and community health investment.

Outperforms regional peer counties

Fairfax city's 76.1-year life expectancy exceeds all surrounding counties except Falls Church (78.3 years), and its 14.5% poor/fair health rate is better than regional averages. The city demonstrates sustained health advantages through robust healthcare infrastructure.

Urban advantages with limited primary care

Despite strong health outcomes, Fairfax city has only 8 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, suggesting reliance on nearby provider networks. At 8.8% uninsured, the city's coverage rate is slightly above Virginia average, but 2,219 mental health providers per 100,000 reveals concentrated behavioral health capacity.

Maintain your health advantage

One in eleven Fairfax city residents lack health insurance despite the city's strong healthcare infrastructure. Ensure continuous coverage by reviewing Virginia's health marketplace options to keep your family protected.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fairfax city

via RiskByCounty

Fairfax city is extremely safe

Fairfax's composite risk score of 5.28 ranks in the very low category, nearly four times lower than the national average. The city shows minimal exposure across flood (13.52), wildfire (1.05), and tornado (20.10) hazards, making it one of the safest localities in the nation.

Among Virginia's lowest-risk jurisdictions

Fairfax city's score of 5.28 is less than one-sixth of Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it in the very safest tier statewide. The city's robust protection across most hazard categories reflects its location, infrastructure, and prepared governance.

Fairfax city outshines northern Virginia

Fairfax city's composite score of 5.28 is dramatically lower than neighboring Fairfax County's 94.66, demonstrating stark differences in disaster vulnerability within the same metro area. Fairfax city also maintains substantially lower risk than Falls Church city (1.62) is even safer.

No dominant natural disaster threat

Fairfax city's risk profile is remarkably balanced, with no single hazard dominating—wildfire risk of 1.05 is the lowest threat, while hurricane risk of 62.16 is the highest. Even the city's peak exposure remains minimal compared to state and national standards.

Standard coverage is typically sufficient

Fairfax city residents can rely on standard homeowner's insurance without specialized hazard coverage in most cases. Review your policy annually to ensure adequate replacement cost coverage, and maintain routine home maintenance to prevent weather-related damage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.