Ashton, IA vs Fairbank, IA

Ashton, IA and Fairbank, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Ashton scores 66 while Fairbank scores 64 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ashton is $892/month compared to $630/month in Fairbank — a 42% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairbank has cheaper rent, Ashton actually has lower median home values ($85,400 vs $173,200).

Median household income in Ashton is $60,156 compared to $100,172 in Fairbank (-39.9%). Fairbank offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashton spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, more than the 7.5% in Fairbank.