Fairfax 75 Excellent
Fairfax Livability #224 ranked city in Iowa#4,130 ranked city in the USARanks better than 85% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Fairfax

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Fairfax?

Fairfax, Iowa is a smaller city with a population of 2,871 residents. The majority of Fairfax residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Fairfax has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. In total, more than 71% of the population is classified as married and 51% have kids. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Fairfax is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Fairfax, Iowa. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Fairfax and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, commute, employment and other important metrics.

The livability score in Fairfax is 73 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 83rd percentile of all cities across America. For each of the livability categories, we know that Fairfax ranks very well for crime (A+), cost of living (B-) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Fairfax does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Fairfax has an unemployment rate of 2% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Fairfax has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Fairfax real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Fairfax. The median home price for Fairfax homes is $431,432, which is 79.7% higher than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Fairfax, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 6.7% lower than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fairfax

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Fairfax?

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Compare Fairfax, IA Livability

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      Fairfax transportation information

      Statistic Fairfax Iowa National
      Average one way commute21min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.3%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.0%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home16.6%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Fairfax, IA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.