In Fairfax, a typical home is worth $1,163,600 and typical rent is $2,367 a month. Compared with all of Marin County, the typical home value is 23% lower and typical rent is 11% lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,169,789 to $1,226,010.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Fairfax is in Marin County. The FHA loan limit ($1,249,125 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Marin County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Fairfax rose 5.3%; in California, it rose 0.6%.
2
The typical home in Fairfax is worth $1,163,600,23% less than in Marin County as a whole ($1,507,300).
Sources: Zillow (September 2026 data); U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Fairfax
What homes there are in Fairfax, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Fairfax
Marin County
California
United States
Kind of home: Fairfax and its comparisons
Measure
Fairfax
Marin County
California
United States
Detached house
68%
63%
57%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
8%
7%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
12%
9%
8%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
19%
24%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
1%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
In Fairfax, 7 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Marin County, 6.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Fairfax
Marin County
California
United States
Year built: Fairfax and its comparisons
Measure
Fairfax
Marin County
California
United States
Before 1960
61%
37%
27%
26%
1960–1979
27%
38%
29%
24%
1980–1999
10%
17%
25%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
5%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
3%
8%
11%
In Fairfax, half of the homes were built before 1953; in Marin County, before 1967.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1M25%
$1M or more67%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Fairfax and its comparisons
Measure
Fairfax
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable
$200K–$300K
Unreliable
$300K–$500K
Unreliable
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
25%
$1M or more
67%
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,49931%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Fairfax and its comparisons
Measure
Fairfax
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
31%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
Without a mortgage
$1,269 a month
Marin County: $1,315 a month
Owners with a mortgage
63%
Marin County: 67%
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Fairfax+37%
Marin County+51%
California+46%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Fairfax+25%
Marin County+29%
California+36%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Fairfax+36%
Marin County+29%
California+32%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Fairfax and its comparisons
Measure
Fairfax
Marin County
California
United States
Typical home value
+37%
+51%
+46%
+53%
Typical rent
+25%
+29%
+36%
+33%
Typical household income
+36%
+29%
+32%
+29%
The typical home value in Fairfax rose 37% since 2015–2019, less than in Marin County (51%).
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Fairfax rose 25%, less than in Marin County (29%).
To compare: typical income in Fairfax rose 36%; the home, +37%; the rent, +25%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Fairfax and its comparisons
Measure
Fairfax
Marin County
California
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
3.8%
4.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
4.4%
8.2%
3.4%
People per household
2.29
2.44
2.84
2.53
Drive alone
47%
52%
66%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
7%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
3%
Walk or bike
9%
5%
3%
3%
Work from home
38%
32%
17%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Fairfax has 2.29 people, fewer than in Marin County (2.44).
Many people here do not commute at all: 38% work from home; in Marin County, 32%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Fairfax?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Fairfax, worth $1,163,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 83% of the typical household income in Fairfax, which is $141,653 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $418,303 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Marin County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Fairfax. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $40,726 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$9,760
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$1,142,524
Total interest
$1,643,824
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $19,650 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $3,305 a month
Tight
$3,305 to $4,250 a month
Hard
more than $4,250 a month
Your payment · 83%
Compared with the typical household income in Fairfax ($141,653 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$7,740
Property tax
$834
Home insurance
$485
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$702
You need at least $40,726 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $9,760; principal and interest $7,740.
The city and its county
Fairfax and Marin County
Fairfax is in Marin County, California. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Fairfax
Map of Marin County, California, with Fairfax marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Fairfax
Marin County
Other cities with a page
Fairfax's own numbers
Typical home value
$1,163,600
Typical monthly rent
$2,367
Typical yearly household income
$141,653
Households that own their home
69%
Effective property tax rate
0.86%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Marin County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,249,125
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,249,125
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$3,697
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+25%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
12%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Marin County.
A typical home in Fairfax is worth $1,163,600: 23% below the county and 58% above California. With the typical household income in Fairfax ($141,653 a year), a typical home costs 8.2 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Fairfax8.2 years
Marin10.1 years
California7.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Marin County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Marin County rose 45% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Marin County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Marin County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +9.0% +9.0% 2016
2017: +2.5% +2.5% 2017
2018: +5.5% +5.5% 2018
2019: +0.2% +0.2% 2019
2020: −2.1% −2.1% 2020
2021: +6.8% +6.8% 2021
2022: +12.5% +12.5% 2022
2023: +3.1% +3.1% 2023
2024: +2.2% +2.2% 2024
2025: −0.8% −0.8% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Marin County, California and the United States
Period
County
California
U.S.
Last year (2025)
−0.8%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+25%
+40%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+45%
+80%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Fairfax next to Marin County, California and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Fairfax$1,163,600
Marin$1,507,300
California$734,700
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Fairfax$2,367
Marin$2,668
California$2,036
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Fairfax$141,653
Marin$149,091
California$99,122
United States$80,734
See the full table
Fairfax next to Marin County and California
Measure
Fairfax
Marin County
California
U.S.
Typical home value
$1,163,600 ▼23% below the county
$1,507,300
$734,700
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$2,367 ▼11% below the county
$2,668
$2,036
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$141,653 ▼5% below the county
$149,091
$99,122
$80,734
Households that own their home
69% ▲4 points above the county
65%
56%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$10,001
$10,001
$5,124
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.86% ▲0.2 points above the county
0.66%
0.7%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
57% ▲1 points above the county
56%
55%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Marin County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Fairfax
For a typical $1,163,600 home in Fairfax, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Fairfax's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$9,760a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$40,726
Cash to close
$75,634
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $702
Conventional, 5% down$9,360a month
Down payment
$58,180
Cash to close
$93,088
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $553
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$7,625a month
Down payment
$232,720
Cash to close
$267,628
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$8,701a month
Down payment
$174,540
Cash to close
$209,448
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Fairfax
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$9,760
$40,726
$1,142,524
7.18%
FHA MIP · $702
$75,634
580
Conventional, 5% down
$9,360
$58,180
$1,105,420
7.18%
PMI · $553
$93,088
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$7,625
$232,720
$930,880
7.18%
None
$267,628
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$8,701
$174,540
$989,060
8.18%
None
$209,448
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Fairfax is $2,367 a month: 11% below the county. In Fairfax, 57% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Marin County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($3,697 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $71.10 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Marin County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$2,574
$49.50
$102,960
1 bedroom
$3,003
$57.75
$120,120
2 bedrooms
$3,697
$71.10
$147,880
3 bedrooms
$4,832
$92.92
$193,280
4 bedrooms
$5,439
$104.60
$217,560
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Fairfax
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Fairfax is in ZIP code 94930.
For 2 bedrooms it is $3,280: $417 less than the fair market rent for Marin County ($3,697).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Fairfax, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
94930
$2,280
$2,680
$3,280
$4,290
$4,830
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
94930 $3,280$4,290
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Fairfax when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Fairfax. These are the largest.
Bennett House53 Taylor Dr, Fairfax 9493070 homes, 69 low-income · For older adults(415) 457-7318
Victory Village2626 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax 9493054 homes, 53 low-income · 1 bd: 53 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 2020 · For older adults, people experiencing homelessness
Piper Court Apartments101 Piper Ct, Fairfax 9493027 homes, 26 low-income · 2 bd: 18 · 3 bd: 9 · In service since 2019
Creekwood2401 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax 9493012 low-income homes · For people with disabilities(415) 258-1800
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Marin County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Fairfax or Marin County. The ones below are statewide in California: they work in Fairfax the same as in the rest of the state.
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers in California.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA down payment loan for first-generation buyers in California; when you sell, you repay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers who use the CalPLUS Access mortgage (FHA or conventional).Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Fairfax or Marin County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Fairfax and all of Marin County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Fairfax?
The typical home value in Fairfax is $1,163,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Marin County it is $1,507,300.
How much does it cost to rent in Fairfax?
Typical rent in Fairfax is $2,367 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Marin County is $3,697.
What is the FHA loan limit in Fairfax?
Fairfax uses the FHA limit for all of Marin County (2026): $1,249,125 for a one-unit home and $2,402,625 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Fairfax?
The typical homeowner in Fairfax pays $10,001 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.86% of the home’s value; in Marin County, the rate is 0.66%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Fairfax?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Marin County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
