A
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
7%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Fairfield Ohio National
Cost of living9992100
Goods & Services102100100
Groceries102101100
Health care10398100
Housing9373100
Transportation102100100
Utilities10099100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Fairfield, OH

Knowing the cost of living in Fairfield allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Fairfield stands at 99, marking it 1% lower than the national average.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Fairfield are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Fairfield can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Fairfield Affordable?

Is Fairfield affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Fairfield, for instance, where the median home price falls 10.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 1.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Fairfield flaunting a median household income of $63,655, 15.1% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fairfield?

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Fairfield, the housing index is 6.7% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Fairfield, the healthcare costs are 2.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Fairfield cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Fairfield is 8% higher than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Fairfield is 1% lower than the national average
  • Fairfield housing is 7% lower than the national average
  • Ohio general sales tax is 13% higher than the national average
  • Ohio state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Fairfield

See all the best places to live around Fairfield

Compare Fairfield, OH Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$82,138$6,845$1,916$2,464
      Renters$42,355$3,530$988$1,271
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Fairfield, OH, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Fairfield, the median monthly income is $82,138 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,916 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $42,355, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $988 on monthly rental expenses.

      Ohio Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Ohio 5.75% 8%

      Ohio Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Ohio 0% 3.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Fairfield National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.13$24.263.6%
      Beauty Salon $37.93$45.5616.7%
      Toothpaste $3.60$3.702.7%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.280.6%
      Movie $14.35$12.1318.3%
      Bowling $17.56$18.002.5%

      Groceries

      Item Fairfield National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.91$5.841.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.72$1.579.1%
      Milk $4.80$4.672.7%
      Potatoes $5.05$4.932.3%
      Pizza $11.92$12.091.4%
      Beer $10.63$10.412.1%

      Health Care

      Item Fairfield National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $105.42$125.6816.1%
      Doctor $159.40$135.7817.4%
      Dentist $106.67$113.295.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.68$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $497.02$468.606.1%

      Housing

      Item Fairfield National avg. Difference
      Home Price $166,000.00$184,700.0010.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,993.26$2,346.6915.1%
      Apartment Rent $961.00$949.001.3%

      Transportation

      Item Fairfield National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.27$3.465.6%
      Tire Balancing $73.09$59.9222.0%

      Utilities

      Item Fairfield National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $197.10$193.991.6%
      Phone $186.48$192.253.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Plainville, OH1531021.7%
      Shawnee, OH1,0541021.7%
      Elizabethtown, OH2848020.4%
      Hooven, OH3268119.1%
      Shawnee village, OH5418317.2%
      Fairfield, OH42,623990.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Burlington, VT42,64512423.7%
      Farmers Branch, TX42,65911010.4%
      Jefferson City, MO42,670909.8%
      Mankato, MN42,685991.5%
      Rohnert Park, CA42,55916262.3%
      Fairfield, OH42,623990.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.