Appleton, WI vs Kenosha, WI

Appleton is moderately more affordable than Kenosha, with a 8.9% lower cost of living index. Appleton scores 79 compared to 87 for Kenosha, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Kenosha can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Appleton is $957/month compared to $1,137/month in Kenosha — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Appleton has cheaper rent, Kenosha actually has lower median home values ($210,500 vs $211,500).

Median household income in Appleton is $77,450 compared to $68,532 in Kenosha (+13%). 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 19.9% in Kenosha.