City Comparison

Appleton vs Roswell

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Roswell

Georgia
113
Above Average
$647,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$108,800
Median Income

The Verdict

22.1%

Living in Appleton costs 22.1% less than Roswell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $96,307 in Roswell.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
187
Roswell
Groceries
98
Appleton
101
Roswell
Utilities
70
Appleton
98
Roswell
Transportation
79
Appleton
110
Roswell
Healthcare
116
Appleton
103
Roswell

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $96,307 in Roswell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $58,407 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Roswell

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $647,000. The $368,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,916 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $480/month in Roswell. 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 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $392 in Roswell. 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 103 in Roswell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $96,283 respectively. Roswell residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,878/month to housing in Appleton vs $2,539/month in Roswell. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Roswell, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 96 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 22.1% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,307 in Roswell, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Roswell's is 187 with median homes at $647,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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