City Comparison

Appleton vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

17.0%

Appleton is 17.0% less expensive than Warwick overall. A household earning $75,000 in Appleton would need approximately $90,341 in Warwick to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
127
Warwick
Groceries
98
Appleton
102
Warwick
Utilities
70
Appleton
112
Warwick
Transportation
79
Appleton
105
Warwick
Healthcare
116
Appleton
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $90,341 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $62,264 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $413,000. The $134,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,712 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $448 in Warwick. 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 Warwick. 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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $70,377 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 17.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,341 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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