City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Appleton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

Netherlands
107
Above Average
$595,000
Median Home
$2,100/mo
Median Rent
$58,000
Median Income

Appleton

Wisconsin
88
Below Average
$279,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$80,500
Median Income

The Verdict

21.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.6%, with Appleton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to $61,682 in Appleton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
138
Amsterdam
91
Appleton
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
98
Appleton
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
70
Appleton
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
79
Appleton
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
116
Appleton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $61,682 in Appleton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Appleton equals $91,193 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Appleton

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Appleton's 91, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $279,000. The $316,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,544 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $950/mo in Appleton, a monthly difference of $1,150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 98 in Appleton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $466/month in Appleton. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Amsterdam and 70 in Appleton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $280 in Appleton. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Amsterdam and 116 in Appleton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $58,000 in Amsterdam and $80,500 in Appleton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $91,477 respectively. Appleton residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,353/month to housing in Amsterdam vs $1,878/month in Appleton. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 21.6% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,682 in Appleton, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Appleton's is 91 with median homes at $279,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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