Fairmont, MN vs Pipestone, MN

Pipestone is moderately more affordable than Fairmont, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Fairmont scores 69 compared to 64 for Pipestone, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fairmont can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairmont is $717/month compared to $722/month in Pipestone — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairmont has cheaper rent, Pipestone actually has lower median home values ($102,000 vs $168,800).

Median household income in Fairmont is $59,228 compared to $61,442 in Pipestone (-3.6%). Pipestone 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 14.5% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Pipestone.