CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Appleton, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Appleton
92.4
overall index
$1,125/mo rent

Appleton is moderately cheaper than Allentown — 7.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $73,900 in Appleton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing32.9%
Allentown
105.5
Appleton
70.8
🛒 Groceries6.8%
Allentown
100.6
Appleton
93.8
🚗 Transportation+1.8%
Allentown
102.6
Appleton
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Allentown
92.9
Appleton
94.4
Utilities15.8%
Allentown
107.6
Appleton
90.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Appleton, WI
$73,900
$6,100 less needed in Appleton

Formula: salary × (92.4 ÷ 100) = salary × 0.9240. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Allentown, PA

Median Home Price
$349,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Appleton, WI

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

Allentown has 32.9% lower housing costs compared to Appleton.

Income & Job Market

Allentown, PA

Median Household Income
$81,200
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
125,845
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailLogisticsFinance

Appleton, WI

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Allentown, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Appleton, WI
6.2×income-to-rent ratio

84% 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.