Fairfield, IA vs West Liberty, IA

Fairfield, IA and West Liberty, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Fairfield scores 71 while West Liberty scores 72 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 $871/month in West Liberty — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfield is more affordable at $152,900 median vs $169,500.

Median household income in Fairfield is $48,302 compared to $66,132 in West Liberty (-27%). While West Liberty 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 15.8% in West Liberty.