Appleton, WI vs La Crosse, WI

Appleton, WI and La Crosse, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Appleton scores 79 while La Crosse scores 77 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 $977/month in La Crosse — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Appleton has cheaper rent, La Crosse actually has lower median home values ($196,600 vs $211,500).

Median household income in Appleton is $77,450 compared to $53,803 in La Crosse (+44%). While Appleton 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 21.8% in La Crosse.