City Comparison

Appleton vs Yuma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Appleton

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

Yuma

Arizona
92
Below Average
$284,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$54,100
Median Income

The Verdict

4.3%

Living in Appleton costs 4.3% less than Yuma. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $78,409 in Yuma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Appleton
82
Yuma
Groceries
98
Appleton
101
Yuma
Utilities
70
Appleton
102
Yuma
Transportation
79
Appleton
97
Yuma
Healthcare
116
Appleton
87
Yuma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Appleton has the same purchasing power as $78,409 in Yuma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $71,739 in Appleton.

Living in Appleton vs Yuma

Housing Costs

Appleton's housing index of 91 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $284,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Appleton compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Appleton and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Appleton vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $280 in Appleton vs $408 in Yuma. 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 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $91,477 and $58,804 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Appleton, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleton is 4.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Appleton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,409 in Yuma, based on the cost of living difference.
Appleton's housing index is 91 with median homes at $279,000, while Yuma's is 82 with median homes at $284,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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