Cost of Living in Appleton, WI
Appleton, WI — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Appleton, WI to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Appleton, WI?
With a price level of 92.4 (U.S. average = 100), Appleton, WI is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs are 29% below average; everyday goods are 6% below average; utilities are 9% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Appleton, WI vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.4 | −7.6% |
| Housing | 70.8 | −29.2% |
| Goods | 93.8 | −6.2% |
| Utilities | 90.6 | −9.4% |
| Other services | 99.4 | −0.6% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Appleton, WI
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $858 | $34,320/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $960 | $38,400/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,236 | $49,440/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,701 | $68,040/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,776 | $71,040/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Appleton, WI
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Appleton, WI | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $37,000 | $31,063 |
| $60,000 | $55,500 | $45,113 |
| $80,000 | $73,900 | $58,282 |
| $100,000 | $92,400 | $70,317 |
| $150,000 | $138,600 | $100,034 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Appleton, WI's median wage of $49,910 takes home about $3,406 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $960, which is 28% of take-home pay — within the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,446 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Appleton, WI
- Federal income tax$3,809
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,094
- Medicare (1.45%)$724
- Wisconsin income tax$1,415
- Take-home pay$40,868
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Highest-paying jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $45,760 | $37,716 | $40,810 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,610 | $36,083 | $39,043 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $37,010 | $31,070 | $33,619 |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,540 | $29,194 | $31,589 |
| Cashier | $31,610 | $26,969 | $29,181 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,010 | $24,987 | $27,037 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Wisconsin cities
Half of Wisconsin’s 2,941,540 workers earn less than $50,270 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $37,700–$76,350 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Madison, WI stretches a paycheck furthest, while Kenosha, WI is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | $59,320 | 104.8 | $1,396 | 35% | $2,605 | $45,806 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $51,160 | 96.9 | $1,119 | 32% | $2,366 | $43,138 |
| Madison, WI | $58,080 | 97.3 | $1,377 | 35% | $2,546 | $48,385 |
| Green Bay, WI | $49,940 | 93.1 | $915 | 27% | $2,493 | $43,928 |
| Duluth, MN | $50,000 | 88.8 | $978 | 29% | $2,433 | $46,116 |
| Appleton, WI | $49,910 | 92.4 | $960 | 28% | $2,446 | $44,220 |
| Oshkosh, WI | $54,060 | 92.9 | $889 | 24% | $2,779 | $47,369 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $48,100 | 92.8 | $962 | 29% | $2,329 | $42,559 |
| La Crosse, WI | $48,260 | 91.8 | $866 | 26% | $2,435 | $43,168 |
| Racine, WI | $48,870 | 96.0 | $988 | 30% | $2,352 | $41,765 |
| Kenosha, WI | $48,310 | 101.1 | $1,092 | 33% | $2,212 | $39,214 |
| Janesville, WI | $48,390 | 93.7 | $955 | 29% | $2,354 | $42,382 |
| Wausau, WI | $48,790 | 92.7 | $889 | 27% | $2,446 | $43,191 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $51,890 | 94.0 | $888 | 25% | $2,643 | $45,069 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $50,340 | 91.6 | $946 | 28% | $2,487 | $44,951 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Appleton, WI vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 92.4 | $960 | $49,910 | 124,230 |
| Amarillo, TX | 91.8 | $903 | $44,580 | 123,930 |
| Duluth, MN | 88.8 | $978 | $50,000 | 124,710 |
| Crestview, FL | 97.0 | $1,492 | $47,510 | 125,050 |
| Rochester, MN | 90.8 | $1,124 | $60,620 | 122,980 |
| Midland, TX | 95.8 | $1,449 | $54,480 | 122,180 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 108.6 | $1,914 | $50,770 | 122,020 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Appleton, WI expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Appleton, WI metro area are 92.4% of the U.S. average, with housing at 70.8%. It is the #234 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Appleton, WI?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $55,451 in Appleton, WI (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $49,910.
Can you afford Appleton, WI on the median wage?
A single worker on the $49,910 median wage takes home about $3,406 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $960 would take 28% of that.
How much is rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Appleton, WI are $858 for a studio, $960 for one bedroom, $1,236 for two bedrooms and $1,701 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Appleton, WI
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $37,010
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,010
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $34,540
- Cashier — $31,610
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Customer Service Representative — $45,760