CICostIndexUSA

Appleton, WI vs Duluth, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Appleton
92.4
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
More AffordableMN
Duluth
88.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Duluth is slightly cheaper than Appleton — 3.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $76,900 in Duluth. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Appleton
70.8
Duluth
71.1
🛒 Groceries+1.6%
Appleton
93.8
Duluth
95.3
🚗 Transportation7.3%
Appleton
104.4
Duluth
96.8
🏥 Healthcare7.2%
Appleton
94.4
Duluth
87.6
Utilities3.6%
Appleton
90.6
Duluth
87.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Duluth, MN
$76,900
$3,100 less needed in Duluth

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 92.4) = salary × 0.9610. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Appleton, WI

Median Home Price
$353,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
70.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.0×

Duluth, MN

Median Home Price
$269,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
71.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Income & Job Market

Appleton, WI

Median Household Income
$82,500
Per Capita Income
$47,000
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
77,315
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceRetailEducation

Duluth, MN

Median Household Income
$69,300
Per Capita Income
$39,500
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
89,127
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationShippingManufacturingTourism

Affordability at a Glance

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

Appleton, WI
5.6×income-to-rent ratio

82% of income left after rent (median)

Duluth, MN
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.