What is the cost of living in Fairfield, IA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Fairfield has an overall cost of living index of 88, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Fairfield has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Fairfield ranks as #28 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Fairfield ranks as the #57 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Fairfield, check out:
Fairfield Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Fairfield. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Fairfield is 96.
The Groceries index in Fairfield is 96.
The Health index in Fairfield is 69.
The Housing index in Fairfield is 97.
The Transportation index in Fairfield is 98.
The Utilities index in Fairfield is 96.
| Living Expense | Fairfield | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 88 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 69 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 94 | 100 |
Fairfield Cost Of Living Compared To Iowa Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Iowa, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Fairfield Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Fairfield, IA Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Iowa, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Fairfield is $158,193.
The Median Rent in Fairfield is $870.
The Median Income in Fairfield is $51,311.
The Home Value To Income in Fairfield is 3.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Fairfield is 0.2x.
Fairfield, IA Costs By Category
Detailed Fairfield Services costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Fairfield Groceries costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Fairfield Health costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Fairfield Transportation costs vs. Iowa
Fairfield SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Fairfield
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Fairfield. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Ottumwa, IA has a cost of living index of 84, 1.0x Fairfield.
Burlington, IA has a cost of living index of 89, 1.0x Fairfield.
Oskaloosa, IA has a cost of living index of 84, 1.0x Fairfield.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Fairfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottumwa, IA | 25,430 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Burlington, IA | 23,728 | 89 | 1.0x |
| Oskaloosa, IA | 11,504 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Fort Madison, IA | 10,133 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Mount Pleasant, IA | 8,951 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Washington, IA | 7,290 | 90 | 1.0x |
