Cost of Living in Fort Atkinson, WI

Population 12,490 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

68
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Fort Atkinson stay well under national norms: a median home value of $199,000 against median household incomes of $75,350 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Wisconsin.

Geographically, Fort Atkinson is about 30 miles east of Madison, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 43% lower than Madison's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 65
Rent 73

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Fort Atkinson

The median home value in Fort Atkinson is $198,600 — 35% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $957/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $75,350/year is 1% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 56.5°F and lows of 37.6°F, with about 51.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Fort Atkinson has a cost of living index of 68 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 32% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$198,600
35% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$292,198
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$957/mo
27% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,450/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$712
1 BR
$781
2 BR
$997
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,448
Owner-occupied 70.2%
Renter-occupied 29.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$957
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,571/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
22.4 min
17% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.4%
Carpooled
6.5%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
2.5%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
8.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 7.7%
Total Sales Tax 5.4%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$75,350
1% above avg
Per Capita Income
$37,474
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
21% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Labor Force Participation
69.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.0%
Graduate degree 8.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.5
Male median age 40.3
Female median age 43.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
56.5°F
Avg Low
37.6°F
Annual Precip
37.1"
Annual Snowfall
51.8"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 273144576979828073604532
Low °F 121525364757626051402918
Precip" 1.471.522.263.784.105.284.514.163.432.772.221.63
Snow" 13.712.87.02.60.10.00.00.00.00.63.012.0

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
71.4%
Good air days/yr
140
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
203
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
2,768
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fort Atkinson, WI?

Fort Atkinson has a cost index of 68 (100 = national average). It is 32% below the national average.

What is average rent in Fort Atkinson, WI?

The median gross rent in Fort Atkinson is $957 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fort Atkinson?

The median home value in Fort Atkinson is $198,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fort Atkinson?

The median household income in Fort Atkinson is $75,350 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fort Atkinson, WI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Fort Atkinson is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.

Is Fort Atkinson, WI affordable?

Yes, Fort Atkinson is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 68 — about 32% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Fort Atkinson?

Fort Atkinson has average high temperatures of 56.5°F and average lows of 37.6°F. Annual precipitation is 37.1". Average annual snowfall is 51.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fort Atkinson at a Glance

Population
12,490
Median Income
$75,350
Home Value
$198,600
Median Rent
$957/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Avg High Temp
56.5°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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