Cresco, IA vs Fairbank, IA

Cresco, IA and Fairbank, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Cresco scores 65 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 Cresco is $814/month compared to $630/month in Fairbank — a 29% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairbank has cheaper rent, Cresco actually has lower median home values ($105,200 vs $173,200).

Median household income in Cresco is $60,769 compared to $100,172 in Fairbank (-39.3%). 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 Cresco spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, more than the 7.5% in Fairbank.