Appleton, WI vs Racine, WI

Appleton, WI and Racine, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Appleton scores 79 while Racine scores 76 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 $983/month in Racine — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Appleton has cheaper rent, Racine actually has lower median home values ($158,100 vs $211,500).

Median household income in Appleton is $77,450 compared to $55,705 in Racine (+39%). 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 21.2% in Racine.