Fairfield, IA vs Saylorville, IA

The cost of living difference between Fairfield, IA and Saylorville, IA is dramatic. Fairfield is 33.3% cheaper than Saylorville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfield has a cost index of 71 while Saylorville sits at 106, 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 Fairfield is $864/month compared to $1,642/month in Saylorville — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfield is more affordable at $152,900 median vs $287,700.

Median household income in Fairfield is $48,302 compared to $80,250 in Saylorville (-39.8%). While Saylorville 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, less than the 24.6% in Saylorville.