Fairfax, IA vs Janesville, IA

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, IA and Janesville, IA is dramatic. Janesville is 34.2% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 90 while Janesville sits at 67, 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 $625/month in Janesville — a 90% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Janesville is more affordable at $214,700 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Fairfax is $120,552 compared to $84,231 in Janesville (+43.1%). 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, more than the 8.9% in Janesville.