Fairmont, IL vs Marengo, IL

Fairmont, IL and Marengo, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Fairmont scores 90 while Marengo scores 85 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 Fairmont is $1,372/month compared to $1,077/month in Marengo — a 27% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marengo has cheaper rent, Fairmont actually has lower median home values ($147,400 vs $206,100).

Median household income in Fairmont is $59,244 compared to $72,586 in Marengo (-18.4%). Marengo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairmont spend roughly 27.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Marengo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 49.4°F). Marengo receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 34.4" in Fairmont.