Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Fairfield, Iowa

Fairfield, Iowa
Photo by Bill Whittaker (talk) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Fairfield costs

A small-city budget needs the actual house, utilities, vehicle, and referral travel visible

The catalog's 2024 ACS gross-rent anchors are $751 for one bedroom and $987 for two bedrooms, with a modeled local monthly estimate of $2,795. Add utilities, heating, cooling, insurance, property maintenance, vehicle costs, fuel, groceries, prescriptions, local care, and regional referrals.

Request recent utility history, taxes or rent terms, roof and basement records, drainage, insurance, internet, snow service, and the cost of a typical care and grocery loop. A lower housing figure can be offset by a longer regional trip or more property work.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $2,795 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$751
Utilities (in rent)
$213
Food
$472/mo
Transportation
$1,077/mo
Healthcare
$495

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$3,830

Very Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,309

Very Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$751

Excellent

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$227/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
High
Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
11.7%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
27.6%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
26.8%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$44,167

Could Fairfield fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$2,795 per month
Two people
$4,309 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$751
Food
$472
Transportation
$1,077
Healthcare
$495

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Fairfield in everyday life

Could Fairfield work for you?

What may work well

  • The catalog supplies clear rent anchors for the city.
  • The health center, county services, parks, library, and trails provide identifiable household resources.

What to think about

  • Utilities, maintenance, vehicle use, property conditions, regional care, and winter travel can change the total substantially.
  • A home on the edge of town may add snow, drainage, service, phone, power, and driving costs.

Price a Fairfield household

  1. Compare several addresses

    Keep housing, utilities, insurance, heating, cooling, repairs, snow, internet, vehicle, and service distance visible.

  2. Map recurring care

    Price the health center, pharmacy, groceries, specialists, referrals, fuel, parking, and winter roads.

  3. Reserve for weather

    Keep room for heating, cooling, roof, drainage, basement, trees, power, phone, snow, insurance, and a ride after a storm.

Questions retirees ask

Are $751 and $987 the full Fairfield budget?

No. They are the catalog's 2024 ACS one-bedroom and two-bedroom gross-rent anchors. Add utilities, insurance, maintenance, vehicles, care, groceries, and regional travel.

Why do Fairfield homes have different budgets?

Housing, taxes or rent, utilities, heating, cooling, drainage, basement, snow, insurance, vehicle use, and care distance vary by address.

Fairfield affordability depends on the actual home, utilities, property work, vehicle plan, local care, regional referrals, and the services used every week.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.