CostIndexUSA

Appleton, WI vs Baltimore, MD Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
Appleton
92.4
overall index
$1,125/mo rent
MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent

Appleton is moderately cheaper than Baltimore — 13.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $90,500 in Baltimore. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+66.9%
Appleton
70.8
Baltimore
118.2
🛒 Groceries+9.2%
Appleton
93.8
Baltimore
102.4
🚗 Transportation+2.1%
Appleton
104.4
Baltimore
106.6
🏥 Healthcare+2.1%
Appleton
94.4
Baltimore
96.4
Utilities+21.6%
Appleton
90.6
Baltimore
110.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Baltimore, MD
$90,500
$10,500 more needed in Baltimore

Formula: salary × (104.5 ÷ 92.4) = salary × 1.1310. 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×

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Baltimore has 66.9% 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

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

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)

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.