Fort Atkinson, IA vs Mapleton, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Mapleton is 20.2% cheaper than Fort Atkinson. With a cost index of 64 vs 77, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Mapleton to Fort Atkinson should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Atkinson is $1,125/month compared to $780/month in Mapleton — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mapleton is more affordable at $116,400 median vs $135,000.

Median household income in Fort Atkinson is $72,083 compared to $52,955 in Mapleton (+36.1%). While Fort Atkinson is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Atkinson spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.7% in Mapleton.