City Comparison

Appleton vs North Las Vegas

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

North Las Vegas

Nevada
111
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$78,500
Median Income

The Verdict

20.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.7%, with Appleton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to $94,602 in North Las Vegas.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
120
North Las Vegas
Groceries
98
Appleton
104
North Las Vegas
Utilities
70
Appleton
109
North Las Vegas
Transportation
79
Appleton
116
North Las Vegas
Healthcare
116
Appleton
85
North Las Vegas

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $94,602 in North Las Vegas.

Conversely, $75,000 in North Las Vegas equals $59,459 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs North Las Vegas

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower North Las Vegas's 120, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $405,000. The $126,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,600/mo in North Las Vegas, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 104 in North Las Vegas. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $494/month in North Las Vegas. 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 109 in North Las Vegas. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $436 in North Las Vegas. 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 85 in North Las Vegas. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-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 $78,500 in North Las Vegas. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $70,721 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 $1,832/month in North Las Vegas. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In North Las Vegas, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 20.7% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $94,602 in North Las Vegas, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while North Las Vegas's is 120 with median homes at $405,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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