CostIndexUSA

Appleton, WI vs Brownsville, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Appleton
92.4
overall index
$1,125/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Brownsville
86
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Brownsville is moderately cheaper than Appleton — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Appleton, you would need $74,500 in Brownsville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.5%
Appleton
70.8
Brownsville
57.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Appleton
93.8
Brownsville
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.2%
Appleton
104.4
Brownsville
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.2%
Appleton
94.4
Brownsville
91.4
Utilities10.4%
Appleton
90.6
Brownsville
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Brownsville, TX
$74,500
$5,500 less needed in Brownsville

Formula: salary × (86 ÷ 92.4) = salary × 0.9307. 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×

Brownsville, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
57.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.7×

Appleton has 18.5% lower housing costs compared to Brownsville.

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

Brownsville, TX

Median Household Income
$52,200
Per Capita Income
$29,800
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
183,392
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

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)

Brownsville, TX
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.