Chester, IL vs Fairmont City, IL

Chester is moderately more affordable than Fairmont City, with a 10.7% lower cost of living index. Chester scores 62 compared to 69 for Fairmont City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fairmont City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Chester is $642/month compared to $1,012/month in Fairmont City — a 37% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chester has cheaper rent, Fairmont City actually has lower median home values ($65,500 vs $107,800).

Median household income in Chester is $74,673 compared to $43,333 in Fairmont City (+72.3%). Chester offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 10.3% of their income on rent, less than the 28% in Fairmont City.