Chelsea, VT vs Fairfax, VT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Chelsea is 16% cheaper than Fairfax. With a cost index of 79 vs 94, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Chelsea to Fairfax should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chelsea is $1,076/month compared to $1,009/month in Fairfax — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairfax has cheaper rent, Chelsea actually has lower median home values ($139,200 vs $348,600).

Median household income in Chelsea is $45,333 compared to $56,667 in Fairfax (-20%). 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 Chelsea spend roughly 28.5% of their income on rent, more than the 21.4% in Fairfax.