Appleton vs Port St Lucie
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Appleton
Port St Lucie
The Verdict
Appleton is 11.1% less expensive than Port St Lucie overall. A household earning $75,000 in Appleton would need approximately $84,375 in Port St Lucie 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 $84,375 in Port St Lucie.
Conversely, $75,000 in Port St Lucie equals $66,667 in Appleton.
Living in Appleton vs Port St Lucie
Housing Costs
Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Port St Lucie's 103, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $384,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,800/mo in Port St Lucie, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 102 in Port St Lucie. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $485/month in Port St Lucie. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 70 in Appleton and 93 in Port St Lucie. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $372 in Port St Lucie. 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 96 in Port St Lucie. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $81,100 in Port St Lucie. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $81,919 respectively. Appleton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,878/month to housing in Appleton vs $1,892/month in Port St Lucie. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Port St Lucie, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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