Atkinson, NE vs Valley, NE

The cost of living difference between Atkinson, NE and Valley, NE is dramatic. Atkinson is 40.1% cheaper than Valley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Atkinson has a cost index of 64 while Valley sits at 107, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Atkinson is $655/month compared to $1,053/month in Valley — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Atkinson is more affordable at $147,600 median vs $515,100.

Median household income in Atkinson is $72,857 compared to $106,750 in Valley (-31.7%). The higher salaries in Valley partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Atkinson spend roughly 10.8% of their income on rent, less than the 11.8% in Valley.

Climate-wise, Valley is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 49°F in Atkinson. Valley receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 23.8" in Atkinson.