Fairfield, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

Fairfield, IA and Ottumwa, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Fairfield scores 71 while Ottumwa scores 68 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 $956/month in Ottumwa — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairfield has cheaper rent, Ottumwa actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $152,900).

Median household income in Fairfield is $48,302 compared to $56,994 in Ottumwa (-15.3%). Ottumwa 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 20.1% in Ottumwa.