Appleton vs Cary
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Appleton
Cary
The Verdict
Appleton is 17.0% less expensive than Cary overall. A household earning $75,000 in Appleton would need approximately $90,341 in Cary 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 $90,341 in Cary.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cary equals $62,264 in Appleton.
Living in Appleton vs Cary
Housing Costs
Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Cary's 152, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $500,000. The $221,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,364 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,850/mo in Cary, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 101 in Cary. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $480/month in Cary. 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 97 in Cary. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $388 in Cary. 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 113 in Cary. 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 $117,400 in Cary. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $110,755 respectively. Cary 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 $2,739/month in Cary. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases