Fairfax, IA vs Perry, IA

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, IA and Perry, IA is dramatic. Perry is 30.9% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 90 while Perry sits at 69, 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 $877/month in Perry — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Perry is more affordable at $122,100 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Fairfax is $120,552 compared to $63,983 in Perry (+88.4%). 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 16.4% in Perry.