2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Appleton, WI vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ames or is it cheaper to live in Appleton?
- Ames is 0.6% less expensive than Appleton.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ames or Appleton?
- Ames housing costs are 27.2% more expensive than Appleton housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Appleton or is Health Care more affordable in Ames.
- Health related expenses are 26.8% more in Ames.
 Appleton, WIAmes, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.6100
 Food & Groceries94.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock120.8100
 Housing69.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$239,100$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock67.2100
 Miscellaneous127.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Appleton    23 Reviews

Just to clarify my earlier review, the people are generally unfriendly, except the overweight women( 90% of women here) are friendly. Tailgatings on 1-41 an 441 is very  More

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Over 7 years ago

Women here are very heavy. People are rude here, will cut you off in public and not say a word. People at the gym walk in and do not even look at you, even though you  More

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Over 8 years ago

Something is happening in Appleton. The place used to be called the shopping capital of Wisco. But, slowly this rather commercial-sounding moniker is being replaced by  More

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Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews

Over 13 years ago

Hello, I am in San Jose Ca, but am seriously thinking of moving somewhere much slower for a better quality of living. I've just turned 59, so I'm kinda preparing for  More

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Over 13 years ago

Like every other city Ames has both good and bad points. The good points are: low cost of living, very friendly people, lots of outdoor activities and quite a few events  More

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Ames enjoys a high quality of life at a very affordable cost, substantially lower than many other communities. The presence of Iowa State University, a large (28,000  More

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