Appleton, MN vs Lafayette, MN

Appleton is moderately more affordable than Lafayette, with a 6.6% lower cost of living index. Appleton scores 60 compared to 64 for Lafayette, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lafayette can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Appleton is $682/month compared to $725/month in Lafayette — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Appleton is more affordable at $71,300 median vs $142,700.

Median household income in Appleton is $40,117 compared to $95,500 in Lafayette (-58%). While Lafayette is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Appleton spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, more than the 9.1% in Lafayette.