Fairfield, IL vs Glen Carbon, IL

The cost of living difference between Fairfield, IL and Glen Carbon, IL is dramatic. Fairfield is 34.8% cheaper than Glen Carbon, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfield has a cost index of 58 while Glen Carbon sits at 89, 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 $558/month compared to $1,088/month in Glen Carbon — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfield is more affordable at $91,800 median vs $278,200.

Median household income in Fairfield is $41,026 compared to $92,434 in Glen Carbon (-55.6%). While Glen Carbon 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 16.3% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Glen Carbon.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.7°F vs 56.5°F). Fairfield receives more rainfall at 41.7" per year compared to 40.8" in Glen Carbon.