Fairfield, MT vs Manhattan, MT

The cost of living difference between Fairfield, MT and Manhattan, MT is dramatic. Fairfield is 43.5% cheaper than Manhattan, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfield has a cost index of 70 while Manhattan sits at 124, 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 $683/month compared to $1,700/month in Manhattan — a 60% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfield is more affordable at $203,000 median vs $460,400.

Median household income in Fairfield is $66,544 compared to $69,671 in Manhattan (-4.5%). Manhattan does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfield spend roughly 12.3% of their income on rent, less than the 29.3% in Manhattan.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.6°F vs 43°F). Fairfield receives more rainfall at 14.8" per year compared to 13.4" in Manhattan.