Appleton, WI vs West Bend, WI

Appleton is moderately more affordable than West Bend, with a 6.7% lower cost of living index. Appleton scores 79 compared to 85 for West Bend, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of West Bend 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 $1,033/month in West Bend — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Appleton is more affordable at $211,500 median vs $244,500.

Median household income in Appleton is $77,450 compared to $75,043 in West Bend (+3.2%). 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 16.5% in West Bend.