2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Appleton, WI vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in West Des Moines or is it cheaper to live in Appleton?
- West Des Moines is 1.7% less expensive than Appleton.

Which city has more affordable housing, West Des Moines or Appleton?
- West Des Moines housing costs are 31.6% more expensive than Appleton housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Appleton or is Health Care more affordable in West Des Moines.
- Health related expenses are 7.5% more in West Des Moines.
 Appleton, WIWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock86.6100
 Food & Groceries94.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.4100
 Housing69.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$282,300$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock71.3100
 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 West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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