Crestwood, IL vs Fairbury, IL

The cost of living difference between Crestwood, IL and Fairbury, IL is dramatic. Fairbury is 33.8% cheaper than Crestwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Crestwood has a cost index of 91 while Fairbury sits at 68, 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 Crestwood is $1,300/month compared to $750/month in Fairbury — a 73% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairbury is more affordable at $155,900 median vs $187,700.

Median household income in Crestwood is $68,686 compared to $65,215 in Fairbury (+5.3%). Crestwood does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Crestwood spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 13.8% in Fairbury.