Fort Atkinson, IA vs Shambaugh, IA

Shambaugh is moderately more affordable than Fort Atkinson, with a 10.8% lower cost of living index. Fort Atkinson scores 77 compared to 69 for Shambaugh, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fort Atkinson can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Atkinson is $1,125/month compared to $1,063/month in Shambaugh — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shambaugh is more affordable at $66,100 median vs $135,000.

Median household income in Fort Atkinson is $72,083 compared to $75,313 in Shambaugh (-4.3%). Shambaugh offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Atkinson spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in Shambaugh.