City Comparison

Appleton vs Ogden

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Ogden

Utah
107
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

The Verdict

17.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.8%, with Appleton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to $91,193 in Ogden.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
112
Ogden
Groceries
98
Appleton
92
Ogden
Utilities
70
Appleton
80
Ogden
Transportation
79
Appleton
101
Ogden
Healthcare
116
Appleton
91
Ogden

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $91,193 in Ogden.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $61,682 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Ogden

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Ogden's 112, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $385,000. The $106,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,888 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,250/mo in Ogden, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 92 in Ogden. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $437/month in Ogden. Ogden 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 80 in Ogden. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $320 in Ogden. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 116 in Appleton and 91 in Ogden. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $70,100 in Ogden. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $65,514 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 $1,636/month in Ogden. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 17.8% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,193 in Ogden, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Ogden's is 112 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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