Appleton, WI vs Janesville, WI

Appleton, WI and Janesville, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Appleton scores 79 while Janesville scores 81 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Appleton is $957/month compared to $1,037/month in Janesville — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Appleton has cheaper rent, Janesville actually has lower median home values ($209,700 vs $211,500).

Median household income in Appleton is $77,450 compared to $71,664 in Janesville (+8.1%). Appleton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Appleton spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Janesville.