A+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
9%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Fort Atkinson Wisconsin National
Cost of living9696100
Groceries9899100
Health care9798100
Housing9189100
Transportation10098100
Utilities99101100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9698100
Household Items9699100
Education & Childcare10298100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Fort Atkinson, WI

The cost of living in Fort Atkinson affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Fort Atkinson is 96, which is 4% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Fort Atkinson aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Fort Atkinson residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Fort Atkinson Affordable?

Is Fort Atkinson an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Fort Atkinson, the median home price is 9% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 8.3% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Fort Atkinson come in at $93,934, which is 15.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fort Atkinson?

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Fort Atkinson, the groceries index is 2% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Fort Atkinson, healthcare costs are 3.4% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Fort Atkinson cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Fort Atkinson is equal to the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Fort Atkinson is 4% lower than the national average
  • Fort Atkinson housing is 9% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin state income tax is 36% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Fort Atkinson

See all the best places to live around Fort Atkinson

Compare Fort Atkinson, WI Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Fort Atkinson?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Fort Atkinson?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Fort Atkinson poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$120,334$10,028$2,808$3,610
      Renters$49,053$4,088$1,144$1,472
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Fort Atkinson, WI, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Fort Atkinson have a median income of $120,334. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,808 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $49,053, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,144.

      Wisconsin Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Wisconsin 5% 6.75%

      Wisconsin Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Wisconsin 3.54% 7.65%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Palmyra, WI2,104936.8%
      Milton, WI5,765954.9%
      Edgerton, WI5,773954.8%
      Jefferson, WI8,237964.4%
      Whitewater, WI15,063964.0%
      Fort Atkinson, WI12,734963.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Viera East, FL12,73311818.1%
      Newington Forest, VA12,73514342.8%
      Blue Ash, OH12,73811212.2%
      Mountain Home, AR12,7398911.3%
      Goldenrod, FL12,74211211.9%
      Fort Atkinson, WI12,734963.9%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.