Fort Atkinson, IA vs Woodward, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Woodward is 25.4% cheaper than Fort Atkinson. With a cost index of 61 vs 77, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Woodward 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 $484/month in Woodward — a 132% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Woodward has cheaper rent, Fort Atkinson actually has lower median home values ($135,000 vs $179,500).

Median household income in Fort Atkinson is $72,083 compared to $68,571 in Woodward (+5.1%). Fort Atkinson does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Atkinson spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 8.5% in Woodward.