Appleton vs Naperville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Appleton
Naperville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 21.4%, with Appleton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to $95,455 in Naperville.
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 $95,455 in Naperville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Naperville equals $58,929 in Appleton.
Living in Appleton vs Naperville
Housing Costs
Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Naperville's 130, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $430,000. The $151,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,816 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,800/mo in Naperville, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 104 in Naperville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $494/month in Naperville. Appleton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 70 in Appleton and 99 in Naperville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $396 in Naperville. 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 101 in Naperville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $118,254 in Naperville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $105,584 respectively. Naperville residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,878/month to housing in Appleton vs $2,759/month in Naperville. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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