Creston, IA vs Fairfax, IA

The cost of living difference between Creston, IA and Fairfax, IA is dramatic. Creston is 32% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Creston has a cost index of 61 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 Creston is $672/month compared to $1,188/month in Fairfax — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Creston is more affordable at $112,600 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Creston is $50,752 compared to $120,552 in Fairfax (-57.9%). 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 Creston spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, more than the 11.8% in Fairfax.