Fairfax, MN vs Rush City, MN

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, MN and Rush City, MN is dramatic. Fairfax is 35.5% cheaper than Rush City, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 51 while Rush City sits at 80, 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 $410/month compared to $881/month in Rush City — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfax is more affordable at $99,800 median vs $199,000.

Median household income in Fairfax is $53,750 compared to $58,543 in Rush City (-8.2%). Rush City does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfax spend roughly 9.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.1% in Rush City.