countyscore
36.5
County Score
Income & Jobs 99.4Disaster Risk 94.8Health 67.1

County Report Card

About Fairfax city, Virginia

Fairfax City Trails National Average

Fairfax city carries a composite score of 36.5, which falls well below the national median of 50.0. Extremely high costs of living create a significant drag on its overall ranking.

Trailing High State Standards

The city's score of 36.5 is far below the Virginia state average of 50.9. Despite high individual scores in some areas, the city's overall profile is hindered by extreme local expenses.

Wealth and Environmental Resilience

The city boasts an elite income score of 99.4, with residents earning a median household income of $132,774. It also features a superior risk score of 94.8, indicating very low vulnerability to natural disasters.

Prohibitive Housing Costs

Affordability is almost non-existent with a cost score of 0.6 and median rents reaching $2,122. Additionally, school and water data are currently unavailable, and the safety score is low at 13.8.

Elite Income for the Resilient

Fairfax city is designed for high-earning professionals who can afford premium rents and high home values. It appeals to those who prioritize disaster safety and financial opportunity over daily affordability.

2040608010042.10.613.867.199.494.862.8Tax42.1Cost0.6Safety13.8Health67.1Schools—Income99.4Risk94.8Water—Weather62.836.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Fairfax city DNA

Foverall

How Fairfax city compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Fairfax city is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (99.4/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (0.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
42.1-9.899999999999999
Cost
0.6-47.4
Safety
13.8-41.2
Health
67.1+17.099999999999994
Income
99.4+48.400000000000006
Risk
94.8+47.8
Weather
62.8
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Compare mortgage rates in Fairfax city

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$677,400

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$2,122/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$677,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$84,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $132,774/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Marion County
Ohio
Median income: $57,306
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Lamar County
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Solano County
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Lee County
Florida
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St. Lucie County
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Median income: $69,027
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Elkhart County
Indiana
Median income: $65,617
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Polk County
Iowa
Median income: $81,621
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Nearby counties

Fairfax County
Virginia
44.4
Falls Church city
Virginia
51.8
Manassas Park city
Virginia
36.6
Arlington County
Virginia
44.8
Prince William County
Virginia
39.6
Manassas city
Virginia
32.5
Alexandria city
Virginia
39.3
District of Columbia
District of Columbia
41.2

Deep Dives

Fairfax city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

Safety in Fairfax city

via CrimeByCounty

Fairfax City Balances Urban Safety Needs

Fairfax city maintains a safety score of 96.1, though its total crime rate of 2,470.9 per 100,000 is slightly above the national average of 2,385.5. This high rate is largely driven by property-related incidents rather than violent crime. Users should note that data comes from a single reporting agency, which may skew local interpretations.

Comparing City Rates to Virginia Averages

Fairfax city’s total crime rate of 2,470.9 per 100,000 is higher than the state average of 1,728.8. Its safety score of 96.1 sits just below the Virginia average of 97.3. As a concentrated urban area, it experiences more frequent reported activity than rural Virginia counties.

Fairfax City vs. Surrounding Fairfax County

Fairfax city has a total crime rate of 2,470.9, which is higher than the broader Fairfax County rate of 1,654.8. However, its violent crime rate of 111.4 is impressively low for an urban center. This suggests that while property crime is frequent, personal safety remains a strong point.

Low Violence but High Property Incidents

The violent crime rate of 111.4 per 100,000 is less than a third of the national average of 369.8. In contrast, property crime is high at 2,359.5, exceeding the national average of 2,015.7. This indicates that theft and similar offenses are the primary public safety concerns for the city.

Defending Against High Property Crime

Since property crime reaches 2,359.5 per 100,000, high-quality home security is essential for city residents. Package theft and vehicle break-ins can be reduced with visible security cameras and well-lit entryways. Staying alert in urban neighborhoods helps protect your personal belongings.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Water Quality in Fairfax city

via WaterByCounty

Compliance Information Gap

Federal drinking water compliance records for Fairfax city are currently unavailable for this reporting period. Residents should refer to annual local utility reports to see how they compare to the state's 126.9 per 100K violation rate.

City Watershed Health

Two out of eight assessed water bodies in the city are impaired, resulting in a 25.0% failure rate for the 2022 cycle. This is significantly better than the 46.1% average impairment rate seen across Virginia.

Localized Water Monitoring

Monitoring is limited with only one site reporting 122 measurements over the last five years. Data collection focuses on physical and nutrient characteristics but lacks the density of surrounding counties.

Streamflow Data Unavailable

There is no active USGS streamgage within Fairfax city to provide live flow updates. Without real-time data, watershed health is assessed primarily through periodic physical and microbiological sampling.

Safeguarding Urban Streams

With 25% impairment and limited monitoring data, residents should stay alert for local notices regarding stream health after heavy rains. Since E. coli is a known impairment, it is best to avoid contact with local streams during periods of high runoff.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Soil Quality in Fairfax city

via SoilByCounty

A Moderately Acidic Urban Profile

Fairfax city features an average pH of 5.92, which is notably less acidic than the Virginia state average of 5.23. While this remains below the national median of 6.5, the city's soil represents a more balanced profile than many of its neighbors. Local taxonomic data remains limited, reflecting the highly developed urban environment.

Silt-Heavy Mix for Moderate Workability

The soil contains 47.7% silt, 33.1% sand, and 19.2% clay. This high silt concentration creates a smooth texture that retains moisture better than sandy soils but requires careful management to avoid compaction. The relatively low clay percentage helps maintain decent workability for city landscaping.

Water Capacity Outperforms State Average

Organic matter sits at 1.52%, falling below the state average of 2.90% and the national average of 2.0%. Despite lower organic levels, the soil boasts an available water capacity of 0.165 in/in, which is significantly higher than the Virginia average of 0.143 in/in. This suggests a strong ability to sustain plants during dry urban summers.

Limited Drainage and Hydrologic Data

Official drainage class and hydrologic group data are unavailable for this urban center. Given the high silt content and urban setting, gardeners should monitor for surface runoff during heavy rains. Incorporating compost can help improve the structure where natural data is sparse.

Start Your Urban Garden Oasis

While specific hardiness zone data is unavailable in the set, regional neighbors thrive in zone 7. The high water capacity makes this soil excellent for moisture-loving perennials and ornamental shrubs. Start a raised bed today to maximize the potential of your Fairfax city space.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Fairfax city

via LawnByCounty

Balanced Growing Conditions in Fairfax City

Fairfax city holds a lawn difficulty score of 55.6, placing it exactly in line with the Virginia state average. This indicates a moderate environment where standard lawn care practices yield good results compared to the national average of 50.0. Success is attainable, though local drought cycles require careful management.

Moderate Temperatures and Steady Rain

The city enjoys a relatively mild climate with 23 extreme heat days, which is lower than the state average of 28. Annual precipitation of 43.4 inches provides a steady foundation for growth without the waterlogging seen in wetter regions. These factors create a shorter, more manageable mowing season for the average homeowner.

Navigating Near-Ideal Soil Conditions

The local soil pH of 5.92 is very close to the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, requiring only minor adjustments to optimize nutrient uptake. With a clay content of 19.2% and sand at 33.1%, the soil offers a decent balance of moisture retention and drainage. A simple application of lime can bridge the small gap to perfect growing conditions.

Long-Term Drought Stress Awareness

Fairfax city has faced a challenging 38 weeks of drought over the past year, putting long-term stress on established turf. Currently, 100% of the city is abnormally dry, though no areas are in severe drought. Constant monitoring and supplemental watering are necessary to help lawns recover from these extended dry periods.

Optimal Planting in the City

Cool-season grasses like Tall Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass are the standard for this region and perform well with the city's 76.2°F July average. While specific frost dates aren't listed, mid-to-late September is generally the best time for seeding. This allows your lawn to establish strong roots during the cool autumn months before winter arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fairfax city's county score?
Fairfax city, Virginia has a composite county score of 36.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Fairfax city rank among counties in Virginia?
Fairfax city ranks #121 among all counties in Virginia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Fairfax city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Fairfax city is $6,392, with an effective tax rate of 0.94%. This earns Fairfax city a tax score of 42.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Fairfax city?
The median household income in Fairfax city, Virginia is $132,774 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Fairfax city earns an income score of 99.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Fairfax city, Virginia a good place to live?
Fairfax city scores 36.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #121 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Fairfax city is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Fairfax city with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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