Buffalo Center, IA vs Fairfax, IA

The cost of living difference between Buffalo Center, IA and Fairfax, IA is dramatic. Buffalo Center is 34.6% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Buffalo Center has a cost index of 59 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 Buffalo Center is $646/month compared to $1,188/month in Fairfax — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Buffalo Center is more affordable at $93,800 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Buffalo Center is $49,474 compared to $120,552 in Fairfax (-59%). 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 Buffalo Center spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, more than the 11.8% in Fairfax.