Appleton, WI vs Waukesha, WI

Appleton is moderately more affordable than Waukesha, with a 14.7% lower cost of living index. Appleton scores 79 compared to 93 for Waukesha, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waukesha 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 $1,183/month in Waukesha — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Appleton is more affordable at $211,500 median vs $286,600.

Median household income in Appleton is $77,450 compared to $81,651 in Waukesha (-5.1%). Waukesha does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Appleton spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Waukesha.