Albia, IA vs Fairfield, IA

Albia is moderately more affordable than Fairfield, with a 5% lower cost of living index. Albia scores 67 compared to 71 for Fairfield, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fairfield can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Albia is $803/month compared to $864/month in Fairfield — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Albia is more affordable at $132,500 median vs $152,900.

Median household income in Albia is $67,791 compared to $48,302 in Fairfield (+40.3%). Albia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Albia spend roughly 14.2% of their income on rent, less than the 21.5% in Fairfield.