A method and system for evaluating node fulfillment capacity in node order assignment. The method includes receiving by a network average capacity utilization cost module an electronic record of a current order. The method includes retrieving data of a plurality of nodes, calculating an actual capacity utilization on an expected date, and determining a probability of backlog on the expected date. The method includes generating a network average capacity utilization cost model, automatically converting a regular labor cost or a overtime labor cost into a capacity utilization cost, and transmitting the capacity utilization cost of each node to an order fulfillment engine. The method includes receiving by the engine the current order, the processing cost data, and the capacity utilization cost. The method includes automatically calculating a fulfillment cost and identifying a node with the lowest fulfillment cost for assignment.