Carlisle, IA vs Fairbank, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fairbank is 19.7% cheaper than Carlisle. With a cost index of 64 vs 77, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fairbank to Carlisle should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Carlisle is $896/month compared to $630/month in Fairbank — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairbank is more affordable at $173,200 median vs $208,100.

Median household income in Carlisle is $98,333 compared to $100,172 in Fairbank (-1.8%). 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 Carlisle spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, more than the 7.5% in Fairbank.