Fairfax, IA vs Griswold, IA

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, IA and Griswold, IA is dramatic. Griswold is 32.7% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 90 while Griswold 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 Fairfax is $1,188/month compared to $937/month in Griswold — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Griswold is more affordable at $89,400 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Fairfax is $120,552 compared to $61,167 in Griswold (+97.1%). 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 Fairfax spend roughly 11.8% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Griswold.