Fairfax, MN vs Pine City, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fairfax is 25.7% cheaper than Pine City. With a cost index of 51 vs 69, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fairfax to Pine City should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfax is $410/month compared to $676/month in Pine City — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfax is more affordable at $99,800 median vs $181,800.

Median household income in Fairfax is $53,750 compared to $51,654 in Pine City (+4.1%). Fairfax offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfax spend roughly 9.2% of their income on rent, less than the 15.7% in Pine City.