Fairfax, IA vs Villisca, IA

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, IA and Villisca, IA is dramatic. Villisca is 50.4% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 90 while Villisca sits at 60, 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 $732/month in Villisca — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Villisca is more affordable at $74,100 median vs $278,800.

Median household income in Fairfax is $120,552 compared to $58,469 in Villisca (+106.2%). 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 15% in Villisca.