Appleton, Wisconsin
Among the top 16% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 39% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 48% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 42% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 84% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 43% of US places
- top 7% for sales tax
- top 10% for natural disaster risk
- bottom 14% for annual snowfall
Appleton is a mid-size city in Wisconsin with about 75,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and C for affordability. Standout strengths include sales tax, natural disaster risk, and commute time. It rates lower on property tax rate and annual snowfall.
Official websiteappleton.org (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freezing
v.cold
cold
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
v.cold
freez.
74%46%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.0 in1.4 in
humid 73%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$75k67th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$45kbetter than 64% of US places
Home Value$192k59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$913better than 50% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 44% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.75%better than 16% of US places
Income Tax7.60%better than 20% of US places
Sales Tax5.70%better than 93% of US places
Estimated total tax burden13.94%better than 21% of US places
Unemployment3.9%better than 50% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)19°F9th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)71°F18th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation33.1 in28th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall49.4 inbetter than 14% of US places
Sunny Days219 daysbetter than 36% of US places
Summer Humidity61°Fbetter than 69% of US places
Comfortable Days90 daysbetter than 70% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk30.1better than 90% of US places
Air Quality45 AQIbetter than 56% of US places
School Quality48.8better than 33% of US places
Violent Crime1224/100kbetter than 26% of US places
Property Crime1515/100kbetter than 30% of US places
Community
Population75,13398th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age36.529th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3164th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0055th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1036th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)80.7%43rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)2.6%69th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)6.4%63rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)6.2%93rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.0%62nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time19 minbetter than 88% of US places
Walkability9.4/20better than 83% of US places
Airport Distance96 mibetter than 39% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access92.9%better than 76% of US places
Amenities Nearby50.04better than 39% of US places
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 28% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Appleton an affordable place to live?
- Appleton is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $45k, better than 64% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Appleton?
- The median home value in Appleton is $192k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Appleton?
- Median household income in Appleton is $75k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Appleton?
- Median gross rent in Appleton is $913 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Appleton safe?
- Appleton is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1224/100k (better than 26%). Property crime is 1515/100k.
- What is the weather like in Appleton?
- Appleton averages 71°F in July and 19°F in January, with 33.1 in of annual precipitation and about 219 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Appleton?
- Public-school quality in Appleton is below average, scoring better than 33% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Appleton?
- The average one-way commute in Appleton is 19 min.
Places near Appleton
Compare Appleton
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)