Fairfax, IA vs Preston, IA

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, IA and Preston, IA is dramatic. Preston is 33.7% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 90 while Preston 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 $789/month in Preston — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Preston is more affordable at $144,600 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Fairfax is $120,552 compared to $82,950 in Preston (+45.3%). 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 11.4% in Preston.