Fairmont, IL vs Sandwich, IL

Fairmont, IL and Sandwich, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Fairmont scores 90 while Sandwich scores 87 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 $1,044/month in Sandwich — a 31% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sandwich has cheaper rent, Fairmont actually has lower median home values ($147,400 vs $239,600).

Median household income in Fairmont is $59,244 compared to $77,027 in Sandwich (-23.1%). Sandwich 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 16.3% in Sandwich.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 49.4°F). Fairmont receives more rainfall at 34.4" per year compared to 33.8" in Sandwich.