City Comparison

Appleton vs Beaumont

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Beaumont

Texas
78
Very Affordable
$166,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$57,000
Median Income

The Verdict

12.8%

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

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
81
Beaumont
Groceries
98
Appleton
96
Beaumont
Utilities
70
Appleton
102
Beaumont
Transportation
79
Appleton
93
Beaumont
Healthcare
116
Appleton
104
Beaumont

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Appleton vs Beaumont

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is higher Beaumont's 81, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $166,000. The $113,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,344 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,000/mo in Beaumont, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 96 in Beaumont. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $456/month in Beaumont. 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 70 in Appleton and 102 in Beaumont. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $408 in Beaumont. 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 104 in Beaumont. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $57,000 in Beaumont. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $73,077 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 $1,330/month in Beaumont. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont 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 Beaumont, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Beaumont's is 81 with median homes at $166,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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