Afton, IA vs Fairfax, IA

The cost of living difference between Afton, IA and Fairfax, IA is dramatic. Afton is 36.8% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Afton has a cost index of 57 while Fairfax sits at 90, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Afton is $564/month compared to $1,188/month in Fairfax — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Afton is more affordable at $99,700 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Afton is $57,232 compared to $120,552 in Fairfax (-52.5%). While Fairfax is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Afton spend roughly 11.8% of their income on rent, less than the 11.8% in Fairfax.