Fairfax, IA vs Graettinger, IA

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, IA and Graettinger, IA is dramatic. Graettinger is 68.9% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 90 while Graettinger sits at 54, 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 Fairfax is $1,188/month compared to $480/month in Graettinger — a 148% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Graettinger is more affordable at $87,000 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Fairfax is $120,552 compared to $73,250 in Graettinger (+64.6%). The higher salaries in Fairfax partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfax spend roughly 11.8% of their income on rent, more than the 7.9% in Graettinger.