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City Report · WI

Appleton

Pop. 75,023·48th most expensive in Wisconsin·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,187/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.0%
Month-over-Month
+2.0%
vs US Median
-$778
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Appleton · $1,187
More affordable than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
54/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Appleton's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,187/mo
Expected by trend
$1,210/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Appleton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$733
1 BR
$823
2 BR
$1,053
3 BR
$1,453
4 BR+
$1,493
Research median
$1,053/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$14,244/yr
At $1,187/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.0% YoY, +2.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Appleton, WI is majority owner-occupied, 38.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
75,023
Median income
$80,483
Median age
37.5
Renters
32.9%
Age distribution
22.7%
23.7%
25.4%
16.6%
Under 1822.7%
18–3423.7%
35–5425.4%
55–6411.6%
65+16.6%
Gender
49.8%
50.2%
Male49.8%
Female50.2%
Race & ethnicity
80.7%
White80.7%
Black2.9%
Hispanic6.6%
Asian6.6%
Other3.2%
Education (25+)
25.5%
31.1%
38.2%
No HS diploma5.2%
HS diploma25.5%
Some college31.1%
Bachelor's+38.2%
Housing tenure
67.1%
32.9%
Owner67.1%
Renter32.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Appleton, WI has changed in 5 years

Rent
$971 → $1,187
up 22.2%
Income
$68,364 → $80,483
up 17.7%
Population
74,752 → 75,023
up 0.4%
Renter share
33.1% → 32.9%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
34.9% → 38.2%
+3.3 pts
Median age
36.5 → 37.5
+1.0 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Appleton, WI has shifted from $971 to $1,187, up 22.2% since 2022. Median household income climbed from $68,364 to $80,483 between 2021 and 2024, a 17.7% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 34.9% to 38.2% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Appleton, WI reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Appleton rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Appleton on your salary?

At $1,187/mo, how Appleton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Appleton rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Appleton. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Appleton

About renting in Appleton, WI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Appleton is $1,187/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $733/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,053/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $823/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,453/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($80,483/yr), Appleton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Appleton an affordable city for renters?

Appleton is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,187/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($80,483/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Appleton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Appleton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $47,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,187/mo in Appleton. The local median household income is $80,483/yr, meaning the typical Appleton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Appleton?

Rent in Appleton has increased 5.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Appleton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Appleton are 54915 ($1,155/mo), 54914 ($1,214/mo), and 54911 ($1,304/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Appleton is $1,187/mo.

How does Appleton rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Appleton is one of the more affordable cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #48 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,187/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Appleton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Appleton ($1,187/mo): Neenah ($983/mo), Kaukauna ($1,116/mo), Menasha ($1,171/mo).

What percentage of Appleton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.9% of Appleton households are renters, while 67.1% are owner-occupied. Appleton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Appleton rent compare to the national average?

Appleton's median rent of $1,187/mo is $778 (40%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #48 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,187/mo, rent takes ~18% of Appleton's median household income ($80,483/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Appleton 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the Appleton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Appleton, WI

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