Ericson, NE vs Fairfield, NE

Ericson is moderately more affordable than Fairfield, with a 12.2% lower cost of living index. Ericson scores 56 compared to 64 for Fairfield, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fairfield can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ericson is $485/month compared to $713/month in Fairfield — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ericson is more affordable at $112,500 median vs $122,500.

Median household income in Ericson is $53,333 compared to $59,500 in Fairfield (-10.4%). The higher salaries in Fairfield partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ericson spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, less than the 14.4% in Fairfield.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49°F vs 51.9°F). Fairfield receives more rainfall at 26.4" per year compared to 23.8" in Ericson.