Appleton vs Fayetteville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Appleton
Fayetteville
The Verdict
Appleton is 2.2% less expensive than Fayetteville overall. A household earning $75,000 in Appleton would need approximately $76,705 in Fayetteville 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 $76,705 in Fayetteville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $73,333 in Appleton.
Living in Appleton vs Fayetteville
Housing Costs
Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Fayetteville's 94, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $332,000. The $53,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,444 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,025/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 92 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $437/month in Fayetteville. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 70 in Appleton and 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $392 in Fayetteville. 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 78 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 38-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 $59,100 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $65,667 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 $1,379/month in Fayetteville. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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