CostIndexUSA

Appleton, WI vs Elk Grove, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
Appleton
92.4
overall index
$1,125/mo rent
CA
Elk Grove
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent

Appleton is significantly cheaper than Elk Grove — 15.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $92,400 in Elk Grove. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+83.9%
Appleton
70.8
Elk Grove
130.2
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Appleton
93.8
Elk Grove
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Appleton
104.4
Elk Grove
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Appleton
94.4
Elk Grove
95.3
Utilities+67.0%
Appleton
90.6
Elk Grove
151.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Elk Grove, CA
$92,400
$12,400 more needed in Elk Grove

Formula: salary × (106.7 ÷ 92.4) = salary × 1.1548. 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×

Elk Grove, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Elk Grove has 83.9% 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

Elk Grove, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
176,124
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentRetailTechnologyEducation

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)

Elk Grove, CA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.