Atkinson, NE vs Elwood, NE

Atkinson is moderately more affordable than Elwood, with a 5.8% lower cost of living index. Atkinson scores 64 compared to 68 for Elwood, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elwood can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Atkinson is $655/month compared to $775/month in Elwood — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Atkinson is more affordable at $147,600 median vs $150,700.

Median household income in Atkinson is $72,857 compared to $68,500 in Elwood (+6.4%). Atkinson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Atkinson spend roughly 10.8% of their income on rent, less than the 13.6% in Elwood.

Climate-wise, Elwood is notably warmer with an average of 52.2°F compared to 49°F in Atkinson. Atkinson receives more rainfall at 23.8" per year compared to 20.1" in Elwood.