Fairfield, NE vs Waterloo, NE

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fairfield is 24.7% cheaper than Waterloo. With a cost index of 64 vs 84, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fairfield to Waterloo should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfield is $713/month compared to $1,125/month in Waterloo — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfield is more affordable at $122,500 median vs $218,400.

Median household income in Fairfield is $59,500 compared to $75,417 in Waterloo (-21.1%). The higher salaries in Waterloo partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfield spend roughly 14.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17.9% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 52.4°F). Waterloo receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 26.4" in Fairfield.