City Comparison

Appleton vs Toledo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Toledo

Ohio
77
Very Affordable
$128,000
Median Home
$825/mo
Median Rent
$42,200
Median Income

The Verdict

14.3%

Living in Toledo costs 14.3% less than Appleton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $65,625 in Toledo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
55
Toledo
Groceries
98
Appleton
98
Toledo
Utilities
70
Appleton
92
Toledo
Transportation
79
Appleton
101
Toledo
Healthcare
116
Appleton
84
Toledo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $65,625 in Toledo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $85,714 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Toledo

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $128,000. The $151,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,816 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $466/month in Toledo. 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 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $368 in Toledo. 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 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-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 $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $54,805 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 $985/month in Toledo. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toledo is 14.3% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,625 in Toledo, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Toledo's is 55 with median homes at $128,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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