City Comparison

Appleton vs Naples

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Naples

Florida
128
Expensive
$520,000
Median Home
$2,100/mo
Median Rent
$72,178
Median Income

The Verdict

31.2%

Appleton is 31.2% less expensive than Naples overall. A household earning $75,000 in Appleton would need approximately $109,091 in Naples to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
180
Naples
Groceries
98
Appleton
106
Naples
Utilities
70
Appleton
96
Naples
Transportation
79
Appleton
105
Naples
Healthcare
116
Appleton
98
Naples

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $109,091 in Naples.

Conversely, $75,000 in Naples equals $51,563 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Naples

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Naples's 180, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $520,000. The $241,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,660 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $2,100/mo in Naples, a monthly difference of $1,150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 106 in Naples. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $504/month in Naples. Appleton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 70 in Appleton and 96 in Naples. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $384 in Naples. 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 98 in Naples. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $72,178 in Naples. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $56,389 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 $1,684/month in Naples. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Naples, median rent of $2,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 89 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 31.2% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $109,091 in Naples, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Naples's is 180 with median homes at $520,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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