City Comparison
Appleton vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Appleton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Appleton
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Appleton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Appleton's average rent is
18% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Appleton | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,410 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,035 | $2,451 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Appleton is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Appleton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,132 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Appleton runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Appleton comes out ahead with 263 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Appleton sees 37.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Appleton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 37.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 263 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Appleton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Appleton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Appleton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Appleton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Appleton.
From a growth perspective, Appleton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Appleton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,644 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Appleton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Consistently low crime rates rank Appleton among the safest mid-sized cities in the Midwest.
A thriving downtown district featuring the Fox Cities PAC, local dining, and boutique shopping.
Robust local economy anchored by major healthcare and manufacturing employers ensuring stable employment.
Abundant outdoor recreational access via Riverside Park and the extensive Fox River trail system.
Drawbacks
Winters are long, cold, and bring significant snowfall averaging nearly 38 inches annually.
Public transit options outside of core downtown areas are limited, making car ownership nearly essential.
Limited racial diversity compared to larger national metropolitan areas.
Humid summer months can occasionally bring high discomfort levels.
Fluctuation in seasonal weather can impact outdoor event planning and infrastructure maintenance costs.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Appleton
#51Wisconsin, USA
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
263/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
80
Business
74
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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