salaryRent is lower than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.3 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $54,960 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Wisconsin cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Wisconsin. It is number 88 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Appleton?
Share of households by yearly income. 27.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Appleton
| Size | Appleton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $905 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $855 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,155 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,496 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,862 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Appleton overall?
Everyday prices in the Appleton metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Appleton
Life in Appleton
What jobs pay in Appleton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $144,630 | 11.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | 12.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $128,270 | 12.9% |
| Lawyer | $126,390 | 13.0% |
| Operations Manager | $109,890 | 15.0% |
| Software Developer | $102,970 | 16.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,360 | 16.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,350 | 17.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $92,590 | 17.8% |
| Plumber | $91,750 | 18.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $86,680 | 19.0% |
| Accountant | $80,360 | 20.5% |
| Police Officer | $77,620 | 21.2% |
| Electrician | $66,830 | 24.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,300 | 25.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,110 | 25.3% |
| Carpenter | $62,490 | 26.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,600 | 26.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,840 | 27.1% |
| Truck Driver | $58,730 | 28.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,330 | 33.4% |
| Firefighter | $46,800 | 35.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,760 | 36.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,760 | 36.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,610 | 37.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,520 | 45.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,540 | 47.7% |
| Cashier | $31,610 | 52.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $30,370 | 54.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Appleton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $232 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $231,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,140 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Appleton, WI?
Renting in Appleton costs a median of about $1,374 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Appleton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $54,960 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Appleton cheap or expensive?
Appleton is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.0% of the typical household income of $86,801. It ranks 88th cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Appleton?
The median homeowner in Appleton pays $3,588 a year in property taxes, about 1.55% of the median home value.
Is Appleton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Appleton?
The median home value in Appleton is $231,400, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
75,023 people live in Appleton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.