Fort Atkinson, IA vs Villisca, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Villisca is 28.1% cheaper than Fort Atkinson. With a cost index of 60 vs 77, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Villisca 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 $732/month in Villisca — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Villisca is more affordable at $74,100 median vs $135,000.

Median household income in Fort Atkinson is $72,083 compared to $58,469 in Villisca (+23.3%). The higher salaries in Fort Atkinson partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Atkinson spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15% in Villisca.