Fairfax, IA vs Mapleton, IA

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, IA and Mapleton, IA is dramatic. Mapleton is 41% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 90 while Mapleton sits at 64, 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 $780/month in Mapleton — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mapleton is more affordable at $116,400 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Fairfax is $120,552 compared to $52,955 in Mapleton (+127.6%). 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 17.7% in Mapleton.