Fairmont, MN vs St. Augusta, MN

The cost of living difference between Fairmont, MN and St. Augusta, MN is dramatic. Fairmont is 30.4% cheaper than St. Augusta, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairmont has a cost index of 69 while St. Augusta sits at 99, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairmont is $717/month compared to $1,373/month in St. Augusta — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairmont is more affordable at $168,800 median vs $323,400.

Median household income in Fairmont is $59,228 compared to $116,384 in St. Augusta (-49.1%). While St. Augusta 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 14.5% of their income on rent, more than the 14.2% in St. Augusta.