City Comparison

Appleton vs Youngstown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Youngstown

Ohio
82
Very Affordable
$102,000
Median Home
$725/mo
Median Rent
$34,600
Median Income

The Verdict

7.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.3%, with Youngstown being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to $69,886 in Youngstown.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
41
Youngstown
Groceries
98
Appleton
98
Youngstown
Utilities
70
Appleton
96
Youngstown
Transportation
79
Appleton
101
Youngstown
Healthcare
116
Appleton
90
Youngstown

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $69,886 in Youngstown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $80,488 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Youngstown

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $102,000. The $177,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,508 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $384 in Youngstown. 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 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Youngstown is 7.3% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,886 in Youngstown, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Youngstown's is 41 with median homes at $102,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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