Decorah, IA vs Fairfax, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Decorah is 17.1% cheaper than Fairfax. With a cost index of 75 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Decorah to Fairfax should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Decorah is $788/month compared to $1,188/month in Fairfax — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decorah is more affordable at $234,600 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Decorah is $62,177 compared to $120,552 in Fairfax (-48.4%). 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 Decorah spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, more than the 11.8% in Fairfax.