Appleton vs Bellevue
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Appleton
Bellevue
The Verdict
Appleton is 44.3% less expensive than Bellevue overall. A household earning $75,000 in Appleton would need approximately $134,659 in Bellevue to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $134,659 in Bellevue.
Conversely, $75,000 in Bellevue equals $41,772 in Appleton.
Living in Appleton vs Bellevue
Housing Costs
Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Bellevue's 249, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $1.3M. The $1.0M difference in home prices means roughly $66,432 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $2,525/mo in Bellevue, a monthly difference of $1,575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 111 in Bellevue. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $527/month in Bellevue. Appleton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $732/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 70 in Appleton and 100 in Bellevue. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $400 in Bellevue. 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 120 in Bellevue. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $80,500 in Appleton and $169,200 in Bellevue. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $107,089 respectively. Bellevue residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,878/month to housing in Appleton vs $3,948/month in Bellevue. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 158 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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