Afton, IA vs Fort Atkinson, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Afton is 25.8% cheaper than Fort Atkinson. With a cost index of 57 vs 77, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Afton to Fort Atkinson should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Afton is $564/month compared to $1,125/month in Fort Atkinson — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Afton is more affordable at $99,700 median vs $135,000.

Median household income in Afton is $57,232 compared to $72,083 in Fort Atkinson (-20.6%). The higher salaries in Fort Atkinson partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Afton spend roughly 11.8% of their income on rent, less than the 18.7% in Fort Atkinson.