City Comparison

Appleton vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

Living in Springdale costs 1.1% less than Appleton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $74,148 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
86
Springdale
Groceries
98
Appleton
97
Springdale
Utilities
70
Appleton
93
Springdale
Transportation
79
Appleton
91
Springdale
Healthcare
116
Appleton
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $74,148 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $75,862 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $299,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $372 in Springdale. 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 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $71,379 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,148 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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