Fairmont, IL vs University Park, IL

Fairmont, IL and University Park, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Fairmont scores 90 while University Park scores 94 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 $1,530/month in University Park — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairmont has cheaper rent, University Park actually has lower median home values ($137,800 vs $147,400).

Median household income in Fairmont is $59,244 compared to $65,580 in University Park (-9.7%). While University Park is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairmont spend roughly 27.8% of their income on rent, less than the 28% in University Park.

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