Fairfax, VT vs West Rutland, VT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. West Rutland is 15.5% cheaper than Fairfax. With a cost index of 82 vs 94, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from West Rutland to Fairfax should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfax is $1,009/month compared to $1,051/month in West Rutland — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairfax has cheaper rent, West Rutland actually has lower median home values ($178,300 vs $348,600).

Median household income in Fairfax is $56,667 compared to $53,373 in West Rutland (+6.2%). Fairfax 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 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 23.6% in West Rutland.