Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Fairfield?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Fairfield, you need to earn at least $40,240/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $44,277, which means the typical resident is $4,037 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 9,474

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$704	$2,347	$28,160	$-16,117
1 Bedroom	$835	$2,783	$33,400	$-10,877
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,006	$3,353	$40,240	$-4,037
3 Bedroom	$1,227	$4,090	$49,080	+$4,803
4 Bedroom	$1,509	$5,030	$60,360	+$16,083

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Fairfield's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$44,277

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$40,240

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$4,037

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 27.3%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Fairfield

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Fairfield's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,107

Studio

$704/mo

1 BR

$835/mo

2 BR

$1,006/mo

3 BR

$1,227/mo

4 BR

$1,509/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Fairfield.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Fairfield's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Fairfield

Fairfield is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $4,037. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($835/month) or studio ($704/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Fairfield pushes the required income to $49,080.

For comfortable living in Fairfield without financial stress, target a household income of at least $60,360 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Iowa's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Fairfield, Iowa.

With a total population of 9,474, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 4,414 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $40,240 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

4,414

Active civilian employees in Fairfield

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Fairfield

What salary do I need to live in Fairfield, Iowa?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Fairfield under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $40,240. The median household income in Fairfield is $44,277.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Fairfield on $44,277?

The affordability verdict for Fairfield is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 27.3%, meaning median earners have a $4,037 surplus.

What is the average rent in Fairfield compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Fairfield is $835/month. With a median household income of $44,277, residents spend approximately 27.3% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Fairfield?

A studio in Fairfield rents for approximately $704/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $28,160 to afford this.

Is Fairfield considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $4,037 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Fairfield is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $40,240 to the local median household income.

How Fairfield Compares

Other cities in Iowa with salary requirements