Appleton vs Portland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Appleton
Portland
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.8%, with Appleton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to $99,716 in Portland.
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 $99,716 in Portland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $56,410 in Appleton.
Living in Appleton vs Portland
Housing Costs
Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Portland's 137, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $395,000. The $116,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,536 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,700/mo in Portland, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 107 in Portland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $508/month in Portland. Appleton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 70 in Appleton and 111 in Portland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $444 in Portland. 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 110 in Portland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $80,500 in Appleton and $56,895 in Portland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $48,628 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 $1,328/month in Portland. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Portland, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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