Appleton, WI vs Brookfield, WI

The cost of living difference between Appleton, WI and Brookfield, WI is dramatic. Appleton is 35.2% cheaper than Brookfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Appleton has a cost index of 79 while Brookfield sits at 122, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Appleton is $957/month compared to $1,794/month in Brookfield — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Appleton is more affordable at $211,500 median vs $419,300.

Median household income in Appleton is $77,450 compared to $124,026 in Brookfield (-37.6%). While Brookfield 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 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Brookfield.