Appleton vs Duluth
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Appleton
Duluth
The Verdict
Duluth is 3.5% less expensive than Appleton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Appleton would need approximately $72,443 in Duluth 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 $72,443 in Duluth.
Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $77,647 in Appleton.
Living in Appleton vs Duluth
Housing Costs
Appleton's housing index of 91 is higher Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $268,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $470/month in Duluth. 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 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $376 in Duluth. 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 123 in Duluth. 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 $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $80,941 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 $1,605/month in Duluth. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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