Appleton, WI vs West Allis, WI

Appleton, WI and West Allis, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Appleton scores 79 while West Allis scores 80 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 $1,012/month in West Allis — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Appleton has cheaper rent, West Allis actually has lower median home values ($191,700 vs $211,500).

Median household income in Appleton is $77,450 compared to $69,685 in West Allis (+11.1%). 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 West Allis.