Fairfield, IL vs Lincoln, IL

Fairfield is moderately more affordable than Lincoln, with a 13.5% lower cost of living index. Fairfield scores 58 compared to 67 for Lincoln, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lincoln can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfield is $558/month compared to $804/month in Lincoln — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfield is more affordable at $91,800 median vs $111,600.

Median household income in Fairfield is $41,026 compared to $54,390 in Lincoln (-24.6%). While Lincoln 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, less than the 17.7% in Lincoln.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.7°F vs 54°F). Fairfield receives more rainfall at 41.7" per year compared to 38" in Lincoln.