City Comparison

Appleton vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

St George

Utah
110
Above Average
$550,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$72,400
Median Income

The Verdict

20.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.0%, with Appleton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to $93,750 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
144
St George
Groceries
98
Appleton
100
St George
Utilities
70
Appleton
87
St George
Transportation
79
Appleton
104
St George
Healthcare
116
Appleton
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $93,750 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $60,000 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs St George

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $550,000. The $271,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,616 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $475/month in St George. 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 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $348 in St George. 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 St George. 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 $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $65,818 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 $1,689/month in St George. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 20.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $93,750 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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