2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Appleton, WI vs Des Moines, IA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Des Moines, is 15% less than it is in Appleton and is 18% below the National Average.
- Appleton unemployment rate is 4.0%.
- Des Moines unemployment rate is 5.9%.
 Appleton, WIDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.9%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock2.7%1.6%
 Future Job Growth34.5%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes5.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock7.4%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$41,416  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$58,444$69,021
 Family Median Income$84,612  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Appleton, WIDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock10.0%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K2.9%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock8.5%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K8.2%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock9.7%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K9.0%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock11.9%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K14.2%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock13.6%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K6.2%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock4.0%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Appleton, WIDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Management, business, finance15.6%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock6.4%6.5%
 Community, social services1.8%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock1.2%1.2%
 Education, library6.4%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock2.0%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology5.4%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock3.2%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.2%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock6.6%5.4%
 Building maintenance2.9%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock3.6%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support20.4%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.3%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair6.0%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock16.1%13.1%
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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Appleton

Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

   |    Reply

Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Des Moines


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.