City Comparison

Appleton vs Clarksville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Clarksville

Tennessee
89
Below Average
$304,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$63,700
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

Living in Appleton costs 1.1% less than Clarksville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $75,852 in Clarksville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
91
Clarksville
Groceries
98
Appleton
100
Clarksville
Utilities
70
Appleton
103
Clarksville
Transportation
79
Appleton
91
Clarksville
Healthcare
116
Appleton
93
Clarksville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $75,852 in Clarksville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $74,157 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Clarksville

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is equal to Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $304,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $475/month in Clarksville. 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 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $412 in Clarksville. 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 93 in Clarksville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $71,573 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 $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,852 in Clarksville, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Clarksville's is 91 with median homes at $304,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases