City Comparison

Appleton vs Barcelona

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Barcelona

Spain
78
Very Affordable
$365,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$37,500
Median Income

The Verdict

12.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.8%, with Barcelona being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to $66,477 in Barcelona.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
95
Barcelona
Groceries
98
Appleton
72
Barcelona
Utilities
70
Appleton
82
Barcelona
Transportation
79
Appleton
85
Barcelona
Healthcare
116
Appleton
68
Barcelona

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $66,477 in Barcelona.

Conversely, $75,000 in Barcelona equals $84,615 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Barcelona

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Barcelona's 95, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $365,000. The $86,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,592 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,375/mo in Barcelona, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 72 in Barcelona. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $342/month in Barcelona. Barcelona offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1488/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 70 in Appleton and 82 in Barcelona. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $328 in Barcelona. 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 116 in Appleton and 68 in Barcelona. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 48-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $80,500 in Appleton and $37,500 in Barcelona. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $48,077 respectively. Appleton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,878/month to housing in Appleton vs $875/month in Barcelona. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Barcelona, median rent of $1,375/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barcelona is 12.8% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,477 in Barcelona, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Barcelona's is 95 with median homes at $365,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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