City Comparison

Appleton vs Dublin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

The Verdict

15.4%

Living in Appleton costs 15.4% less than Dublin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $88,636 in Dublin.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
128
Dublin
Groceries
98
Appleton
95
Dublin
Utilities
70
Appleton
110
Dublin
Transportation
79
Appleton
108
Dublin
Healthcare
116
Appleton
82
Dublin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $88,636 in Dublin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Dublin equals $63,462 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Dublin

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Dublin's 128, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $470,000. The $191,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $2,125/mo in Dublin, a monthly difference of $1,175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 95 in Dublin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $451/month in Dublin. 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 110 in Dublin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $440 in Dublin. 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 82 in Dublin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-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 $56,000 in Dublin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $53,846 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 $1,307/month in Dublin. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 15.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,636 in Dublin, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Dublin's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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