CostIndexUSA

Appleton, WI vs Colorado Springs, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
Appleton
92.4
overall index
$1,125/mo rent
CO
Colorado Springs
100.7
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Appleton is moderately cheaper than Colorado Springs — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $87,200 in Colorado Springs. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+64.1%
Appleton
70.8
Colorado Springs
116.2
🛒 Groceries+2.5%
Appleton
93.8
Colorado Springs
96.1
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Appleton
104.4
Colorado Springs
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Appleton
94.4
Colorado Springs
94.8
Utilities8.2%
Appleton
90.6
Colorado Springs
83.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Appleton to see what you'd need to earn in Colorado Springs to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Colorado Springs, CO
$87,200
$7,200 more needed in Colorado Springs

Formula: salary × (100.7 ÷ 92.4) = salary × 1.0898. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Appleton, WI

Median Home Price
$333,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,125
Housing Index
70.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7×

Colorado Springs, CO

Median Home Price
$448,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
116.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.3×

Colorado Springs has 64.1% higher housing costs compared to Appleton.

Income & Job Market

Appleton, WI

Median Household Income
$84,000
Per Capita Income
$47,900
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
Population
77,315
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceRetailEducation

Colorado Springs, CO

Median Household Income
$89,800
Per Capita Income
$51,200
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
478,961
Top Industries
MilitaryAerospaceTechnologyHealthcareTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Appleton, WI
6.2×income-to-rent ratio

84% of income left after rent (median)

Colorado Springs, CO
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.