Fairfield, IA vs Milford, IA

Fairfield, IA and Milford, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Fairfield scores 71 while Milford scores 74 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 $806/month in Milford — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Milford has cheaper rent, Fairfield actually has lower median home values ($152,900 vs $211,000).

Median household income in Fairfield is $48,302 compared to $60,571 in Milford (-20.3%). While Milford is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfield spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 16% in Milford.