Aplington, IA vs Fairfax, IA

The cost of living difference between Aplington, IA and Fairfax, IA is dramatic. Aplington is 32.2% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Aplington has a cost index of 61 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 Aplington is $650/month compared to $1,188/month in Fairfax — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Aplington is more affordable at $131,800 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Aplington is $70,093 compared to $120,552 in Fairfax (-41.9%). 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 Aplington spend roughly 11.1% of their income on rent, less than the 11.8% in Fairfax.