City Comparison

Appleton vs Cheyenne

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

The Verdict

7.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.4%, with Appleton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to $80,966 in Cheyenne.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
85
Cheyenne
Groceries
98
Appleton
98
Cheyenne
Utilities
70
Appleton
90
Cheyenne
Transportation
79
Appleton
98
Cheyenne
Healthcare
116
Appleton
100
Cheyenne

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $80,966 in Cheyenne.

Conversely, $75,000 in Cheyenne equals $69,474 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Cheyenne

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is higher Cheyenne's 85, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $280,000. The $1,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,100/mo in Cheyenne, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 98 in Cheyenne. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $466/month in Cheyenne. 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 90 in Cheyenne. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $360 in Cheyenne. 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 100 in Cheyenne. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $57,834 in Cheyenne. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $60,878 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 $1,349/month in Cheyenne. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 7.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,966 in Cheyenne, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Cheyenne's is 85 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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