Fairfield, IA vs Mason City, IA

Fairfield, IA and Mason City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Fairfield scores 71 while Mason City scores 69 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfield is $864/month compared to $874/month in Mason City — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairfield has cheaper rent, Mason City actually has lower median home values ($130,000 vs $152,900).

Median household income in Fairfield is $48,302 compared to $62,369 in Mason City (-22.6%). Mason City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfield spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 16.8% in Mason City.